{
  "id": 11294614,
  "title": "Messi finalises acquisition of second Spanish lower league club",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/messi-finalises-acquisition-of-second-spanish-lower-league-club",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T21:18:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/02/messi-finalises-acquisition-of-second-spanish-lower-league-club"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi, the Argentine football icon, has finalized the purchase of Eldense, a Spanish second-division club, according to reports on Thursday. The acquisition marks Messi's second foray into Spanish football ownership, following his previous purchase of Cornella near Barcelona in April. Eldense, based inland from Alicante, announced their acquisition by Leo Messi through an online statement. Established in 1921, CD Eldense is set to embark on a new chapter with the ambition to strengthen their position and grow in professional football. At 39 years old, Messi has been playing for Inter Miami since 2023, with his contract reportedly including a provision for him to become a shareholder in the MLS club upon his retirement from international football.",
  "summary": "Eldense have become former Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi's second venture into Spanish football ownership after he purchased Cornella.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Messi becomes the majority owner of Spanish club Eldense",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/messi-becomes-the-majority-owner-of-spanish-club-eldense",
        "published": "2026-10-01T17:52:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Messi confirmed as new owner of Spanish club CD Eldense",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/messi-confirmed-as-new-owner-of-spanish-club-cd-eldense",
        "published": "2026-10-01T18:02:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Messi completes purchase of second Spanish club",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/messi-completes-purchase-of-second-spanish-club",
        "published": "2026-10-01T19:26:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Messi finalises acquisition of second Spanish lower league club",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/messi-finalises-acquisition-of-second-spanish-lower-league-club-11297197",
        "published": "2026-10-01T21:18:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Messi completes purchase of second Spanish club",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/messi-completes-purchase-of-second-spanish-club-11297605",
        "published": "2026-10-01T22:13:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}