In Elda, beneath the lights of the Nuevo Pepico Amat, Eldense marked the first weekend of Lionel Messi’s ownership with a stirring 4-1 comeback against Real Oviedo. The Argentine, whose purchase of the Spanish club was confirmed on Thursday 1 October, followed the match from afar and celebrated online after a second-half turnaround delivered Javier Calleja’s first victory in charge.
A difficult opening becomes a four-goal response
Oviedo made the sharper start and went ahead after only a minute through Alberto Reina, putting Eldense under immediate pressure in what was Calleja’s third match at the helm.
The home side found its response after the interval, turning the contest decisively through two penalties in just over 10 minutes. Roberto López Alcaide levelled in the 56th minute before Fidel Chaves converted in the 68th to put Eldense ahead.
- 1st minute: Alberto Reina gave Real Oviedo an early lead.
- 56th minute: Roberto López Alcaide equalised from the penalty spot.
- 68th minute: Fidel Chaves converted another penalty to complete the turnaround.
- Added time: Aingeru Olabarrieta and Jorge Rastrojo added the late goals for a 4-1 result.
The two stoppage-time strikes gave the scoreline a resounding shape and secured both Calleja’s first win as Eldense coach and the club’s first victory since Messi became owner.
Messi’s message from afar
Messi posted an image of himself watching the encounter and accompanied it with a short rallying cry: “Aupa Deportivo.” The message arrived after Eldense had recovered from the early setback to overwhelm Oviedo in the closing stages.
The result gave the club’s new era an encouraging first landmark, with the former Barcelona and Argentina captain already publicly engaged with events in the Alicante province city.
Changes considered in Eldense’s boardroom
The win came while Messi considers the executive structure around Eldense. Pablo García Montañés and Alfonso Nebot, both viewed as trusted figures, attended the Oviedo match and are being lined up for roles in the club’s leadership.
- García Montañés has worked at Bankinter, Deloitte and Andorra Banc Agrícol Reig SA. Since May, he has also been linked to the management team at UE Cornellà, the Catalan club acquired by Messi in April.
- Nebot sits on the board of the Andbank group and has been Director of the Leo Messi Family Office since 2009, overseeing the player’s financial and asset management.
For Eldense, the afternoon offered more than three points: it was a first on-pitch celebration under new ownership, while a wider reshaping of the club’s hierarchy takes shape behind the scenes.
