Sept 8: Lionel Messi is close to completing a deal to buy Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense, adding to his growing portfolio of football ownership interests, according to multiple reports in Spain.Messi has agreed in principle to ‌acquire ⁠all the ⁠shares held by majority owner TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., with an announcement expected in the coming days, the reports said.Also Read: The Messi economy: Life after Argentina is still big money for the 'Little Magician'The Colombian investment group, which took control of Eldense in October, 2025, would transfer its ​entire stake to Messi. The ⁠deal remains ‌subject to the approval of Spain's ​High ​Council for Sports (CSD).Reuters has contacted TH ⁠Soluciones and Eldense for comment.Messi, who recently ​retired from international duty with Argentina, acquired fifth-tier ​Spanish side UE Cornella on April 16.He is also due to receive a stake in Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, once his playing contract with the team ends.Eldense are ‌based in Elda, a town of about 55,000 people in the eastern Spanish province ​of ​Alicante.Also Read: Lionel Messi retires from Argentina National Team, bids goodbye to international footballThe club have ⁠spent most of their history in Spain's lower divisions but, following fresh investment, have played in the ​second tier in three of the past four seasons.Eldense sacked manager Claudio Barragan on Sunday after taking two points from their opening four league matches, leaving them third from bottom.