Lionel Messi completes purchase of Spanish second-tier club CD Eldense
CD Eldense announced on 1 October that Lionel Messi has acquired the club, his second Spanish club purchase this year after UE Cornella in April. CNA says the deal awaits regulatory approval.
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The story, neutrally told
CD Eldense announced on Thursday 1 October that Lionel Messi had acquired the club. CNAN “Lionel Messi has completed the acquisition of Spanish second-tier side CD Eldense pending regulatory approval, the club announced on Thursday.” Read at CNA ↗ Gulf NewsN “Argentina icon Lionel Messi has officially acquired Eldense, a Spanish second-division club announced Thursday.” Read at Gulf News ↗ CNA reported that the completion is pending regulatory approval, and that Messi, 39, becomes majority owner. CNAN “Messi, 39, has now become the majority owner of a second club in Spain this year, after the purchase of UE Cornella in April.” Read at CNA ↗ In a statement on its website the club said the acquisition marked "the start of a new and exciting chapter in the club's history, which spans more than a hundred years"; the club was founded in 1921. CNAN “marking the start of a new and exciting chapter in the club’s history, which spans more than a hundred years” Read at CNA ↗ Gulf NewsN “Founded in 1921, CD Eldense embark on this new chapter with the ambition to consolidate their position and grow in professional football.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Last month Messi agreed a deal to buy all the Eldense shares held by a Colombian investment group, the previous majority shareholder, according to CNA. CNAN “last month agreed a deal to acquire all the shares of Eldense held by a Colombian investment group, the previous majority shareholder.” Read at CNA ↗ Eldense, based just inland from Alicante, is Messi's second venture into Spanish football ownership after he bought Cornella, near Barcelona, in April. Gulf NewsN “Eldense, based just in-land from Alicante, have become the former Barcelona attacker's second venture into Spanish football ownership after his purchase of Cornella, near Barcelona, in April.” Read at Gulf News ↗ Eldense sit 19th in the Segunda Division with four losses in seven matches and are fighting to avoid relegation. CNAN “they sit 19th in the Segunda Division with four losses in seven matches, fighting to avoid relegation.” Read at CNA ↗
Messi has played for Inter Miami since 2023; according to media reports cited by AFP, his contract there lets him become a shareholder in the MLS club after he retires. AFP also reported that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner announced his retirement from international football in late August after Argentina lost to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Gulf NewsN “Messi, 39, has been playing for Inter Miami since 2023, where, according to media reports, his contract includes a provision for him to become a shareholder in the MLS club after he retires from the game.”“announced his retirement from international football in late August following the loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.” Read at Gulf News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both centre outlets report the club announcement straightforwardly; CNA adds the sporting context of Eldense's relegation fight, while Gulf News (AFP copy) adds Messi's Inter Miami and international career background.
- Emphasis
- The club's own statement and Messi's growing ownership portfolio.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gulf News does not mention regulatory approval or the Colombian investment group; CNA does not mention Messi's international retirement or Inter Miami stake provision. Neither gives a price.
Right1 outlet
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Eldense announced on 1 October 2026 that Messi had acquired the club.
- It is Messi's second Spanish club purchase after Cornella in April.
- Eldense play in Spain's second division and were founded in 1921.
CD Eldense organisation
The club presents the takeover as a new chapter, with the ambition to consolidate its position and grow in professional football.
“Founded in 1921, CD Eldense embark on this new chapter with the ambition to consolidate their position and grow in professional football.” — Gulf News
Lionel Messi person
No direct comment from Messi is quoted; coverage relies on the club's statement.
“Club Deportivo Eldense officially announces the acquisition of the club by Leo Messi” — CNA
East and Southeast Asia1 outlet
CNA stresses the regulatory caveat and Eldense's relegation struggle.
“fighting to avoid relegation” — CNA
CNA
Middle East1 outlet
Gulf News, running AFP, stresses Messi's stature and wider career context.
“The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner announced his retirement from international football in late August” — Gulf News
Gulf News
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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CNAN ·
Messi becomes the majority owner of Spanish club Eldense
Neutral Factual report of the completed deal, noting pending regulatory approval and Eldense's poor league position.
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Gulf NewsN · · via AFP
Lionel Messi becomes owner of Spanish second-tier club Eldense
Neutral AFP wire copy presenting the deal as Messi's second Spanish ownership venture, with career background; calls him an "Argentina icon".
- 1 Oct 18:52 First CNAN Messi becomes the majority owner of Spanish club Eldense
- 1 Oct 20:10 +1h 18m Gulf NewsN Lionel Messi becomes owner of Spanish second-tier club Eldense via AFP
- 1 Oct 20:30 +1h 38m Irish IndependentRC Lionel Messi completes the takeover of a second Spanish club
- 1 Oct 20:30 +1h 38m Irish IndependentRC Lionel Messi completes the takeover of a second Spanish club, this time second-tier CD Eldense
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.