Lionel Messi reaches agreement in principle to purchase Spanish second-tier club Eldense

Lionel Messi, 39, has reached an agreement in principle to acquire 100 per cent of Spanish second-division club Eldense, though the deal still requires authorisation from the Spanish High Council for Sports and due diligence is ongoing. The move follows Messi's earlier purchase of fifth-tier side UE Cornella and sets up a club ownership rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who bought a 25 per cent stake in fellow Segunda Division side Almeria in February. Almeria have already beaten Eldense 3-0 this season, with a second meeting scheduled for May 2.