LIONEL MESSI has continued preparing for life away from the pitch – after completing a stunning takeover of Spanish minnows Eldense.
The legendary forward, 39, last month.
And Messi will pull on an Argentina shirt for the last time when the three-time World Cup winners face Benin in a friendly on October 6 after being .
But the Inter Miami talisman has prepared for the showdown by snapping up Spanish second-tier side Eldense.
A club statement read: “Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the entity by , beginning a new and exciting stage in the more than 100 years of history of the institution.
“The arrival of one of the most important figures in the history of sport marks the beginning of a long-term project with the aim of boosting the sporting, institutional and social development of Eldense.
“Founded in 1921, faces this new stage with the ambition to consolidate and grow in professional football, while projecting its roots, history and blue and red feeling.
“The transaction is pending the required authorisation from the CSD under the terms established in sports law.”
The confirmation comes after Messi to bag 100 per cent of Eldense’s shares earlier this month.
And the deal has allowed the Barcelona icon to add to his growing football empire.
Messi also of Spanish lower league side UE Cornella in April and has an option to land a minority stake in Inter Miami when he retires.
Eldense are fourth-from-bottom in the Segunda Division, having only notched one domestic win this season.
And the Alicante-based side’s Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat has a capacity of just 5,776.
But Eldense will be expecting to pull in bigger crowds after pinpointed them as an ideal investment opportunity.
The 2022 World Cup winner is still searching for awards on the pitch despite the takeover.
Messi has been tipped by former Tottenham skipper Cristian Romero for a NINTH time after being named among the 30 nominees for the coveted award.
