The 5 Soccer Clubs Lionel Messi Owns

Messi Is Building His Own Soccer Empire

Lionel Messi’s playing career continues to produce new chapters, but away from the field, the Argentine is also building a project that could define much of his life after retirement: his growing presence as a soccer club owner and investor.

What began with projects closely connected to people in his inner circle has gradually developed into a portfolio spanning the United States, Uruguay, Argentina and Spain, combining youth development, investment and professional soccer.

And now Messi has taken another step. The acquisition of Eldense, a 105-year-old club competing in LaLiga Hypermotion, becomes the latest addition to a collection of soccer projects that continues to grow.

Inter Miami: A Project That Goes Beyond Playing

Messi’s relationship with Inter Miami is not limited to what happens on the field. Since his arrival in MLS, there has been an agreement for the Argentine to become a shareholder in the club once his playing career comes to an end.

That detail is significant because it positions Messi as part of the franchise’s long-term project. Alongside figures such as David Beckham, Messi is not only looking to compete but also to help build something capable of lasting for generations in American soccer.

Deportivo LSM: Building for the Future With Luis Suárez

In Uruguay, Messi joined forces with Luis Suárez to develop Deportivo LSM, a project that began in amateur soccer but has quickly grown within the country’s soccer structure.

Beyond results on the field, the club reflects a clear philosophy: build from the ground up. With modern facilities and a focus on the comprehensive development of young players, LSM represents the vision of two legends looking to influence the game from a different perspective.

Leones de Rosario: A Project Connected to His Roots

In Argentina, Messi’s presence in soccer also has an emotional component. Leones de Rosario is managed by people in his inner circle, with his family involved in the organization.

The club is already part of Argentina’s official soccer system and is looking to continue growing within its structure. For Messi, the project also carries a special connection to Rosario, the city where he was born and where his journey in the sport began.

UE Cornellà: Betting on Young Talent in Catalonia

The acquisition of UE Cornellà strengthened Messi’s presence in Spanish soccer and, more specifically, in Catalonia, the region where he spent virtually his entire European career.

The club is particularly known for its youth development program and for producing players who have gone on to play at higher levels. For Messi, it represents a different type of investment: developing young talent and building a project from the academy upward.

His arrival at Cornellà also suggested that these moves were no longer isolated investments. Messi was beginning to assemble a genuine network of soccer projects across different markets.

Eldense: The Latest Addition to Messi’s Empire

The newest chapter takes Messi to Elda. Lionel Messi has become the new owner of Eldense, representing another significant step in his growing portfolio of soccer clubs.

Unlike some of his previous projects, Messi is taking control of a century-old institution competing in LaLiga Hypermotion, the second tier of Spanish soccer. Eldense recently celebrated its 105th anniversary and enters this new era after earning its return to the division.

Outgoing president Carolina Holguín publicly celebrated the Argentine’s arrival. “I leave it in the best hands,” she said in her farewell statement, while asking Messi to take care of the club, respect what it means to its supporters and bring “big dreams” to the city.

The move also represents another step in Messi’s evolution as a soccer businessman. His portfolio is no longer limited to academies, family projects or investments focused on the future: it now includes a professional Spanish club with more than a century of history.

An Empire That Keeps Growing

Inter Miami, Deportivo LSM, Leones de Rosario, UE Cornellà and now Eldense. The projects are different, but together they reveal a side of Messi that could become increasingly important once his playing career eventually comes to an end.

The United States gives him a foothold in MLS; Uruguay and Argentina maintain his connection to South American soccer; while Cornellà and Eldense expand his presence in the Spanish game.

The purchase of Eldense is, for now, the latest piece in a network that continues to grow. Messi spent decades building one of soccer’s greatest legacies on the field. Increasingly, it appears he intends to build another one away from it.

Key Takeaways

• Lionel Messi has added Eldense as the latest club in his growing portfolio of soccer projects.
• His presence as an owner or investor now stretches across the United States, Uruguay, Argentina and Spain.
• The acquisition of Eldense, a professional club with 105 years of history, represents another major step in Messi’s expansion as a soccer businessman.

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live for free on YouTube