Lionel Messi is in talks to purchase Spanish second division side Club Deportivo Eldense, setting up a potential boardroom clash with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward wants to acquire 100 percent of the shares in the Valencian club as he prepares to settle in the region upon his retirement from playing, according to a report by American publication The Athletic.
Ronaldo, 41, is already a shareholder in Spanish second division outfit Almería. Although neither player is expected to meet on the pitch again, their respective investments in Liga Adelante clubs could reignite off the field the iconic rivalry that dominated Spanish football for a decade.
Off-pitch clash in Spanish football
The move would bring both superstars back into contact with the Spanish league system, where they previously fought for domestic and European dominance. Between 2009 and 2018, Messi represented FC Barcelona while Ronaldo played for Real Madrid, creating one of the most celebrated individual rivalries in sports history during their El Clásico encounters.
During their legendary era in La Liga, Messi and Ronaldo collected multiple Ballon d'Or awards and league titles, setting world scoring records while competing directly for Spain's top honours. Their potential involvement as club investors in the second division marks a new chapter in their long-running sporting relationship.
Neither veteran will face the other on the pitch as active players. Portugal and Argentina did not cross paths during the World Cup in the United States, and both players retired from international football following the conclusion of the tournament.
Messi announced his retirement from international duty with Argentina more than a month after the team lost in the World Cup final. The decision marked the conclusion of his career with the national team, following a landmark career that included Argentina's World Cup victory in 2022.
International retirements and career final stages
Ronaldo has also indicated that his playing career is reaching its end. The Portuguese forward, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, announced that this season is likely his last in professional football and that he plans to retire at the end of the campaign.
With both players stepping away from international football, any future competition between them will take place through executive ownership rather than on the pitch. Ronaldo acquired his stake in Almería as part of his post-playing business investments, while Messi's pursuit of Eldense represents his first step into Spanish club ownership.
Club ownership in Segunda División
Club Deportivo Eldense competes in Liga Adelante, the second tier of the Spanish football league structure below La Liga. The club is based in Elda, a city located in the Valencian Community where Messi intends to relocate following his retirement from active play.
Almería also plays in the same division, setting up head-to-head fixtures between the two clubs in league competition. If Messi completes the purchase of Eldense, the two global icons will compete for league standing and promotion from their respective positions as club owners in Spain.
