Outgoing Eldense President Urges Lionel Messi to Honor Club's Legacy After Takeover

The outgoing president of Eldense, Carolina Holguin, has made a heartfelt plea to new owner Lionel Messi following his recent acquisition of the Spanish second-division club. Holguin, who played a key role in the club’s recent progress, hopes Messi will respect the club’s century-long heritage and inspire the local community.

End of an Era at Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat

Holguin’s tenure officially concluded after Messi finalized his takeover, having bought shares from Pascual Perez in October 2025. During her leadership, the men's first team achieved promotion back to La Liga while efforts were made to advance the women’s team and youth academy. She encouraged fans to warmly welcome Messi from day one.

A Confident Farewell

In an official statement released by the club, Holguin expressed pride in handing over control to one of football’s most iconic figures. She said, "For me, being able to hand over the reins of this club to him today is an enormous source of pride and, above all, gives me the peace of mind of knowing that I leave it in the best hands."She added a direct message: "Take care of it, respect what it means to its people and, above all, bring big dreams to Elda."

Challenges and Hope for the Future

Holguin’s leadership faced difficult decisions aimed at securing the club’s financial stability, some of which proved unpopular. Despite those challenges, she remains hopeful about the future with Messi at the helm, calling him the greatest living legend in world soccer and confident extraordinary things lie ahead.

Eldense Prepares for Upcoming Clash Against Eibar

Now under new ownership, Eldense must shift focus back to the pitch as they prepare to host Eibar this weekend. The team currently sits 16th in the Segunda Division with just five points from five games. A home win will be crucial to moving away from the relegation zone as a fresh chapter begins.

• Match: Eldense vs Eibar
• Date: 19 September 2026
• Time: 19:30 (local)

• Other upcoming match: Inter Miami CF vs San Diego FC
• Date: 21 September 2026
• Time: 02:00