{
  "id": 11297605,
  "title": "Messi completes purchase of second Spanish club",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/messi-completes-purchase-of-second-spanish-club-11297605",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T22:13:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/messi-completes-purchase-of-second-spanish-club/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi has finalized his acquisition of Spanish second-tier football club CD Eldense. This deal, pending regulatory clearance, makes Messi the second Argentine footballer to invest in a Spanish club, after purchasing Catalan side Cornellà in April. A statement from CD Eldense announced the acquisition, heralding a new era for the club with a heritage spanning over a century.\n\nEldense currently sit in 19th position in a 22-team league, having earned five points from their first seven games with just one win. The Argentine forward, a key player for American MLS side Inter Miami, announced his international retirement in August. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, had reached a preliminary agreement to become Eldense's majority shareholder in September, and the process has now been concluded.\n\nCD Eldense's statement highlighted that Messi's ownership marks the start of a long-term plan focusing on the club's sporting, institutional, and social growth. Messi's journey to Spain began at 13, where he made his debut for Barcelona in October 2004. His illustrious career includes a record 672 goals in 778 matches before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, and joining Inter Miami in the United States in 2023. Notably, Messi's former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a 25% stake in Spanish club Almería in February.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi has completed his purchase of Spanish second-division club CD Eldense.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "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",
        "published": "2026-10-01T21:18:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}