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CD Eldense announced on October 1 that Lionel Messi had acquired the club, with the deal still subject to approval by Spain’s High Council for Sports, according to BBC Sport. The 39-year-old will focus on preventing relegation this season under new coach Javi Calleja before aiming to establish the Alicante-based side in La Liga. Messi, who also holds stakes in Uruguayan club Deportivo LSM that secured promotion to the third tier in its debut season under his and Luis Suarez’s ownership in 2025, sees Eldense as the flagship of his football operations. A report in The Athletic noted the purchase aligns with Messi’s stated post-playing ambitions after he told an interviewer in January that he preferred club ownership over coaching.
Messi said in that Luzu TV interview, “I don’t see myself as a coach. I like the idea of being a coach, but I like being an owner. I want to have my own club, start from the bottom and make it big.” The BBC Sport article framed the developments as Owner, businessman & player: Messi has big plans as a golden era ends. Inter Miami president of business operations Xavier Asensi told Marca that the club is preparing for a post-Messi playing era but intends for him to become a shareholder once his contract expires, building on a minority stake included in his original 2023 deal. Pasión Fútbol reports indicate the franchise aims to convert the attention Messi has generated into lasting institutional value through its new Miami Freedom Park stadium complex.
Forbes data places Inter Miami’s current valuation at $1.35 billion, up sharply from approximately $650 million when Messi arrived in 2023, while revenue has climbed from $56 million to nearly $200 million annually. The Athletic assessment found that Messi’s forthcoming equity, now reinforced in his 2025 contract extension running through 2028, increases in value alongside the club’s growth. Jorge Mas, Inter Miami’s managing owner, stated in a CNBC interview that Messi will become an owner with the club after his playing career, adding the organization is prepared for the transition while leveraging his legacy to attract talent.
Messi delivered 35 goals and 23 assists in 34 MLS appearances during the 2025 season, earning the Golden Boot and MVP honors for the second consecutive year, according to league statistics compiled by AS USA. His contributions helped secure multiple trophies, including the 2025 MLS Cup and the 2026 Campeones Cup, as the team prepares to move into its permanent stadium next season. Contract reviews occur annually, but sources close to the player do not anticipate an early departure, with some reports suggesting talks could extend his stay toward 2030 if performance levels remain high.
Away from competitive matches, Messi has expanded his academy program to 16 teams that began play in late October at Inter Miami’s Florida facilities, featuring youth sides from clubs including Barcelona, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, BBC Sport reported. His off-field portfolio, spanning apparel, investments and the football holdings, contributed to earnings of around $140 million in the year ending June, helping Forbes estimate his net worth at $1.1 billion. These ventures complement his Inter Miami role, where he maintains influence on both sporting and commercial decisions.
Asensi explained in remarks to Pasión Fútbol that sponsorship deals now average five years to provide stability beyond Messi’s on-field presence, with the club targeting year-round revenue from the Miami Freedom Park development that includes retail, hospitality and entertainment spaces. The strategy reflects broader MLS growth, where Inter Miami has become the league’s most valuable franchise ahead of teams like Los Angeles FC. Messi continues to balance his active playing career with these expanding ownership interests as he transitions toward a multifaceted role in the sport.
