New Delhi, Sept. 9 -- Nine days after announcing his retirement from international football, Lionel Messi gets down to business in expanding his football ownership portfolio as the World Cup-winning Argentine has reached an agreement in principle to become the new owner of Spanish second-division side CD Eldense.

The development was announced on Wednesday by CD Eldense itself. Messi, who played his last international match for Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain on July 19, is close to completing a deal to purchase 100% of the shares held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., the current majority shareholder.

"At this time, the operation is pending completion of the final legal and contractua...