{
  "id": 11333851,
  "title": "Messi finalises acquisition of second Spanish lower league club",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/messi-finalises-acquisition-of-second-spanish-lower-league-club",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T02:04:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/10/02/messi-finalises-acquisition-of-second-spanish-lower-league-club/237336"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paris, October 2 — Lionel Messi, the Argentine football legend, has finalized the acquisition of Eldense, a Spanish second-division club, the club announced today. Eldense, situated inland from Alicante, has become Messi's second venture into Spanish football ownership. The club's statement revealed Messi's purchase follows his April acquisition of Cornella, a team near Barcelona.\n\n\"Club Deportivo Eldense officially announce (their) acquisition by Leo Messi,\" the club wrote online. \"Founded in 1921, CD Eldense embark on this new chapter with the ambition to consolidate their position and grow in professional football.\" At 39, Messi has been playing for Inter Miami since 2023. According to reports, his contract stipulates a provision for him to become a shareholder in the MLS club post-retirement. Messi announced his retirement from international football in late August following a loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.",
  "summary": "PARIS, Oct 2 — Argentina icon Lionel Messi has officially acquired Eldense, a Spanish second-division club announc...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "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"
      },
      {
        "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Messi becomes the majority owner of Spanish club Eldense",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/messi-becomes-the-majority-owner-of-spanish-club-eldense",
        "published": "2026-10-02T03:05:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}