The announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter in Eldense's more than 100-year history, with the club outlining plans for long-term sporting, institutional and social development under Messi's ownership.
“Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the club by Leo Messi, marking the start of a new and exciting chapter in the club's history,” the statement read.
Founded in 1921, CD Eldense are based in Elda, in Spain's Alicante province. The club said the new ownership project would seek to strengthen its position in professional football while preserving its history, local roots and traditional blue-and-red identity.
However, the transaction remains subject to the required authorisation from Spain's High Council for Sports (CSD) under the country's Sports Law. The club's announcement confirms the acquisition while making clear that this regulatory approval is still outstanding.
Messi's acquisition of Eldense comes after he purchased UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Spanish club, in April 2026. The Eldense takeover therefore gives the Inter Miami forward ownership interests in two Spanish clubs, expanding his activities beyond his playing career.
The 39-year-old's investment in Eldense follows an agreement reached in September to acquire the shares held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group SAS, which was previously the club's majority shareholder. The deal was reported at the time as being subject to the completion of legal procedures and the necessary regulatory approval.
Eldense's new ownership comes with an ambition to establish a long-term project focused on the club's sporting and institutional development. While Messi's arrival is a major development for the Spanish side, the club's immediate priorities will include consolidating its position in professional football and building on its established identity.
With the official announcement now made, Messi's takeover of CD Eldense adds a second Spanish club to his ownership portfolio, following his acquisition of Cornellà earlier this year. The completion of the regulatory process remains the outstanding step in the transaction.