Messi Set to Become Majority Shareholder of Spanish Side Eldense

Lionel Messi's post-playing ambitions appear to be taking shape in Spain, with BBC Sport reporting that the Argentine icon has reached a "preliminary agreement" to become the majority shareholder of Eldense, a club currently competing in Spain's second division. The announcement, confirmed by the club itself, marks a significant step in Messi's evolving relationship with Spanish football — the country where he built his legendary career during nearly two decades at Barcelona. According to BBC Sport, this would represent the World Cup winner's second investment in a Spanish club, underlining a growing portfolio that extends far beyond his exploits on the pitch. For Eldense, a modest club from the town of Elda in the Alicante region, the potential arrival of football's most decorated superstar as majority shareholder is nothing short of transformative. While the deal remains at a preliminary stage, the implications are enormous: global visibility, commercial opportunities, and the kind of star power that second-division Spanish football rarely attracts. The timing is particularly intriguing for World Cup watchers. Messi, now plying his trade with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, has kept the football world guessing about his international future ahead of the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022, finally capturing the one prize that had eluded him, and speculation continues over whether he will defend Argentina's crown on North American soil next summer. What this ownership move makes clear is that Messi is thinking strategically about life after football — or at least about building an empire that can run parallel to his playing days. Following in the footsteps of former teammates and rivals who have moved into club ownership, the 37-year-old is positioning himself as more than just a player: he is becoming a powerbroker in the global game. Details regarding the financial terms of the agreement and the timeline for completion have not yet been disclosed, and the deal will presumably be subject to the usual regulatory approvals from Spanish football authorities. But the message from Eldense is unmistakable — they believe Messi is coming, and they are preparing for a new era. For Argentine fans dreaming of one last World Cup dance in 2026, the news offers a reminder that Messi's influence on the sport will endure long after he hangs up his boots. Whether lifting trophies in Miami, guiding Argentina in North America, or now shaping the future of a Spanish club from the boardroom, the greatest player of his generation continues to rewrite what a football career can look like. This article is based on reporting by BBC Sport.