Outgoing Eldense President Carolina Holguin Appeals to Lionel Messi After Club Takeover
Carolina Holguin Bids Farewell as Lionel Messi Takes Charge at Eldense
Carolina Holguin, the outgoing president of Eldense, has made a heartfelt plea to Lionel Messi following his historic acquisition of the Spanish second-division club. The Colombian executive, who is stepping down after the transfer of ownership, encouraged the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner to honour the club's rich 105-year heritage and inspire the local community.
End of an Era at Estadio Municipal Nuevo Pepico Amat
Holguin’s tenure officially ended when Messi finalized the takeover of Eldense. Since acquiring shares from Pascual Perez in October 2025, she played a key role in guiding the men's first team back to La Liga while advancing the women's squad and youth academy. She also urged supporters to warmly welcome Messi from day one.
Passing the Torch with Confidence
Stepping down with full assurance, Holguin shared her pride in handing over the club to one of football's greatest icons. In a statement issued by the club, 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 to Messi: "Take care of it, respect what it means to its people and, above all, bring big dreams to Elda."
Challenging Times Marked by Determined Leadership
Holguin’s presidency faced significant hurdles, including tough financial decisions aimed at stabilizing the club. Reflecting on her time in charge, she acknowledged having made difficult and sometimes unpopular choices. Despite the challenges, she remains optimistic about the future under Messi’s leadership, whom she praised as the greatest living legend in football.
Eldense Looks Ahead to Upcoming Match Against Eibar
Now under new ownership, Eldense must shift focus to their on-field performance. The team currently sits 16th in the Segunda Division, with only five points from their first five matches. Securing a win at home against Eibar will be crucial to climbing away from the relegation zone as they enter this new chapter.
- Match: Eldense vs Eibar
- Date: 19 September 2026
- Time: 19:30
