HWG! Romano: Messi Acquires 100% of Eldense Shares, Club Currently 20th in Segunda Division

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano delivered his trademark “Here We Go” confirmation, with football star Lionel Messi officially completing a major move by acquiring 100% of Segunda Division club Eldense’s shares and reaching a preliminary cooperation agreement. He has fully transformed into a professional football club owner, further expanding his personal football business portfolio.

This is not Messi’s first move into Spanish football. In April this year, Messi spent 2 million euros to fully acquire Spanish fifth-tier club Cornellà. Taking control of a Segunda Division club again several months later shows that he is systematically building his own private club network and preparing for his post-retirement football career.

The Eldense club selected by Messi has a distinctive history and connection. Founded in 1921, the club is one of the oldest clubs in Spain’s Alicante province, and its location is close to Catalonia. More notably, the club was founded by Barcelona supporters and uses red-and-blue striped home colors, giving it a strong Barcelona connection that closely matches Messi’s football career. The club’s home stadium has a capacity of only 5,776 people and is located in the small city of Elda, which has a population of around 50,000 and is known for its footwear industry, offering a quiet and comfortable environment.

According to an exclusive report by Marca, this small city is also the retirement destination chosen by Messi, where he will live long term in the future and manage club affairs. Throughout its history, Eldense has never reached La Liga, only being promoted to the Segunda Division twice in the 1950s and 1960s. After nearly six decades away, the club returned to the Segunda Division in 2023.

The team is currently in a difficult situation. In the opening four matches of this Segunda Division season, the club has failed to win, recording two draws and two defeats for just two points, leaving it in the relegation zone. Adding to the problems, the club announced on Monday that it had dismissed head coach Barragán, who became the first Segunda Division manager to be sacked this season. The team is currently without a head coach and its squad requires adjustments.

By transitioning from a top-level player into a club owner, Messi has completed a major change in his role. With full ownership of two clubs, while focusing on lower-level youth development and a Segunda Division promotion push, his strategy appears structured. Now taking over Eldense during a difficult period, many are waiting to see whether Messi can use his resources and connections to revive this century-old club, lead it into La Liga for the first time in its history, and create a new football legend.