Messi and Ronaldo Renew Rivalry as Football Club Owners in Spain’s Segunda Division

The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has entered a new phase. On October 1, 2026, it was confirmed that the 39-year-old Argentine World Cup winner acquired full ownership of CD Eldense, a club competing in Spain’s Segunda Division. This move places him directly opposite Cristiano Ronaldo, who purchased 25% of UD Almería in February 2026 through his CR7 Sports Investments firm.

The acquisition still requires final approval from Spain’s Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD), but the football world is already anticipating the next chapter of one of the sport’s most famous rivalries. This time, the battle will not be on the pitch but in the boardroom — and eventually, through the performances of two clubs in the same division.

First direct meeting scheduled for May 2027

The first encounter between Eldense and Almería this season took place in mid-August, before Messi’s purchase was public. Almería won that match 3-0. As a result, the first true ownership-era clash will occur on May 2, 2027, during matchday 37 of the Segunda Division season. Almería will travel to Elda’s Estadio Pepico Amat to face Eldense.

For the site’s readers, this is a significant storyline because it adds a new dimension to the Messi-Ronaldo narrative that defined modern football. The shift from players to proprietors offers a long-term angle for following Spanish second-tier football, a league that often flies under the radar for international audiences.

Messi’s growing portfolio in Spanish football

This is not Messi’s first venture into club ownership. In April 2026, he acquired UE Cornellà, a club in Spain’s fifth tier near Barcelona. The Eldense purchase expands his presence in Spanish football, giving him a stake in a club that has climbed back to the Segunda Division after a 60-year absence.

CD Eldense is currently in its third season in the second division over the last four years. The club returned to this level after promotion from Primera Federación. However, the current campaign has started poorly — the team has yet to record a win, and manager Claudio Barragán was dismissed this week. Assistant Josep Ferrando has taken over on an interim basis.

Ronaldo’s established position at Almería

Cristiano Ronaldo’s involvement with Almería began earlier in 2026. His 25% stake placed him as a significant shareholder in a club that has fluctuated between La Liga and the Segunda Division in recent years. Almería’s strong start to the 2026-27 season, including the 3-0 win over Eldense, suggests a club aiming for promotion back to the top flight.

The Portuguese star has been active in club ownership since his playing days in Saudi Arabia, and Almería represents his most direct involvement in European club football.

Key facts

Historic rivalry by the numbers

Messi and Ronaldo faced each other 36 times in official matches. Messi won 16, Ronaldo won 11, and 9 ended in draws. Messi scored 22 goals with 11 assists in those games, while Ronaldo scored 21 goals with one assist. Their first meeting was a 0-0 draw between Barcelona and Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League semifinals.

Their last official European clash was on December 8, 2020, when Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 at Camp Nou, with Ronaldo scoring twice. Counting friendlies, the most recent encounter was in January 2023, when Messi’s PSG defeated a Riyadh Season team featuring Ronaldo, 5-4, with both players scoring.

What this means for Segunda Division followers

For fans of Spanish second-tier football, this development brings unprecedented global attention. The presence of two of the sport’s biggest names as club owners will increase media coverage, potentially attract higher-quality players to both squads, and raise the profile of the league itself.

The May 2027 match at the Pepico Amat is already being marked as a must-watch fixture. It represents a rare moment where ownership stakes directly translate into a competitive narrative between two clubs in the same division.

Source: Ole – Lionel Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo vuelven a enfrentarse: ahora como propietarios de clubes (https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-internacional/lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-rivalidad-enfrentarse-propietarios-clubes-eldense-almeria-segunda-espana-partido_0_UVPGtb759x.html)