Chalien Dantes / Contributor

Lionel Messi could soon add another Spanish football club to his growing investment portfolio, with second division side Eldense announcing that the Argentine great has reached a preliminary agreement to become its majority shareholder.

The proposed deal would see Messi acquire shares currently owned by Grupo TH Soluciones. However, the transaction still has several hurdles to clear, including legal and contractual procedures, due diligence and approval from Spain’s National Sports Council.

If completed, Eldense would become the second Spanish club in which Messi has invested after purchasing Catalan side Cornella in April.

The potential takeover comes during a difficult start to the season for Eldense. The Alicante-based club has collected just two points from its opening four matches, leaving the side 20th in La Liga 2, while head coach Claudio Barragan departed earlier this week.

Messi currently plays for Inter Miami after a career that has taken him from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and then Major League Soccer. He recently retired from international football following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

His connection with Spanish football stretches back to his teenage years after moving from Argentina to Spain at 13. Messi made his Barcelona first-team debut at 17 and went on to score a club record 672 goals in 778 appearances before leaving in 2021.

Messi is not the only football superstar investing in Spanish football. Former Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo purchased a 25 per cent stake in Spanish side Almeria earlier this year.