MADRID: Lionel Messi has signed all official documents to become the owner of CD Eldense, finalising a monumental takeover that sends shockwaves through the landscape of Spanish football.&nbsp;

Reports indicate that Inter Miami superstar has executed the definitive purchase contracts, transitioning a prior verbal pact into a fully binding agreement. Through this transaction, <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-leagues-cup-record-goals-inter-miami-atletico-san-luis/7403-7-0">Messi</a> deals for 100% CD Eldense ownership, completely buying out the previous majority shareholders, the Colombian investment firm TH Soluciones Group S.A.S.

The high-stakes operation is now advancing through its final administrative phase. The transaction remains legally subject to formal regulatory ratification from Spain&rsquo;s High Council for Sports. Once the CSD issues its mandatory administrative authorization, the Segunda Divisi&oacute;n outfit will officially present the 39-year-old icon as their new sole proprietor.

This acquisition marks an ambitious expansion of the Argentine&#39;s growing sports business portfolio. Crucially, it represents his second football club investment on Spanish soil this calendar year, following his complete takeover of fifth-tier Catalan team UE Cornella.&nbsp;

Beyond Spain, Messi&rsquo;s expanding multi-club network includes stakes in Uruguay&rsquo;s Deportivo LSM alongside Luis Suarez, as well as Leon de Rosario in his native Argentina. The takeover injects an immediate layer of intrigue into LaLiga Hypermotion, setting up a captivating boardroom rivalry.&nbsp;

Messi&rsquo;s entry into the tier places him in direct corporate competition with longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who secured a 25% stake in fellow second-division promotion contenders UD Almer&iacute;a. Furthermore, former Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique maintains majority control of FC Andorra, transforming the Spanish second tier into a prominent hub for legendary football entrepreneurs.

On the pitch, the Alicante-based club faces immediate pressure to match the ambition of its new ownership group. Eldense recently parted ways with head coach Claudio Barrag&aacute;n following a difficult start to the domestic campaign that left them languishing near the bottom of the table.&nbsp;

With due diligence and contractual signings now fully concluded, the incoming management team is expected to immediately prioritize stabilizing the sporting department. The football world now awaits the formal CSD announcement, which will officially coronate Lionel Messi as the absolute ruler of CD Eldense.

Also read: <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-net-worth-2026-salary-contract-and-billionaire-status/5669-7-0">Messi&rsquo;s net worth</a>

Lionel Messi has completed a landmark acquisition of CD Eldense, finalising a binding agreement as Messi deals for 100% CD Eldense ownership in Spain.

Messi Deals for 100% CD Eldense Ownership After Signing Final Papers

Lionel Messi&#39;s Argentina story is heading toward its final chapter.

The 39-year-old has been included in Lionel Scaloni&#39;s squad for the friendly against Benin on October 6 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The match will mark Messi&#39;s farewell appearance for the national team after he announced his international retirement in August.&nbsp;

The Argentine Football Association confirmed the call-up on Tuesday, with Messi included specifically for the final game of the upcoming home friendly series. Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso are also set to join the squad for that match.&nbsp;

For Argentina supporters, the setting could hardly be more fitting. The Monumental has hosted countless major nights involving the national team, and it will now stage the final international appearance of the country&#39;s most decorated modern footballer.

<h2>Messi&#39;s final Argentina appearance</h2>

Messi announced his retirement from international football on August 31, following Argentina&#39;s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. FIFA reported that he finished that tournament with eight goals and four assists as Argentina reached the final before losing 1-0 after extra time.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-career-highlights-greatest-moments/7849-7-0">His numbers</a> with Argentina tell their own story. Messi has made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals, both national records. His international career also includes the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.&nbsp;

The Messi final Argentina game will come after two other friendlies during the same international window. Argentina face Bolivia in C&oacute;rdoba on September 30 before meeting Burkina Faso at the Monumental on October 3. Messi is not expected to take part in those two matches.&nbsp;

<h2>2022 World Cup teammates invited</h2>

The farewell is also being planned as a reunion of Argentina&#39;s 2022 World Cup-winning group. AFA president Claudio Tapia said the players from that championship-winning squad and their families will be invited to attend the occasion.

That gives the night an added layer. Messi lifted the World Cup in Qatar after years of near misses with Argentina, ending one of the longest-running stories in international football.

Now, more than two decades after making his senior debut in 2005, he is preparing to walk onto the pitch in the famous blue and white stripes for the last time.

The <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-net-worth-2026-salary-contract-and-billionaire-status/5669-7-0">Lionel Messi</a> Argentina farewell match against Benin is therefore more than another friendly on the calendar. It will be the final opportunity for Argentina fans to see their captain represent the national team on home soil.

The farewell is set for October 6 at the Monumental. And this time, the occasion is about saying goodbye.&nbsp;

Lionel Messi will play his final Argentina match against Benin on October 6 as the captain prepares for an emotional farewell at the Monumental.

Messi Included in Argentina Squad for One Last National Team Game

Liverpool have added France international Bradley Barcola to their squad after reaching an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The 23-year-old has agreed to a long-term contract, the club confirmed on Monday.

The club did not reveal how much it paid for the 23-year-old. However, reports in the British media claim Barcola has agreed to a five-year contract, with the overall deal worth around &pound;120 million.

&quot;It took a long time but I&#39;m really happy today to be able to play for Liverpool and all I want is to be on the pitch and be able to play,&quot; said Bradley Barcola after the announcement.

Barcola left his boyhood club Olympique Lyonnais for PSG in 2023 and quickly became part of a successful team in Paris. During his time with the club, he won two Champions League titles in 2024-25 and 2025-26, three Ligue 1 titles and two French Cups, along with other trophies.

The 23-year-old came through the Lyon academy and also represented France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has earned a reputation for his speed and ability to take on defenders.

Barcola made 152 appearances for PSG in all competitions, scoring 39 goals and providing 37 assists during his time at the club.

Barcola still had two years left on his PSG contract, but he was struggling for regular playing time. The club had plenty of options in attack, with Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Ferran Torres all competing for places.

&quot;I hope to achieve very big things. First of all, winning the Premier League, it&#39;s one of my biggest dreams in my life,&quot; said Bradley Barcola.

Meanwhile, new Liverpool manager Iraola has made a number of changes to the squad since taking charge. He is willing to shape a new side for the upcoming season in which Man City, Arsenal and other clubs have also spent big on new signings.

Barcola will now compete for a place in a Liverpool attack that already has Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Munoz.

Liverpool&#39;s heavy spending did not lead to a top-four finish last season. Despite investing close to &pound;400 million in new players, they ended the Premier League campaign in fifth place.

Liverpool have completed the signing of France forward Bradley Barcola from PSG, with the 23-year-old reportedly joining in a £120 million deal.

Liverpool Complete Bradley Barcola Transfer From PSG

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has announced his decision to end his international career at the age of 39, more than a month after his final appearance for the national team. Messi announces retirement after Argentina&#39;s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, bringing an end to one of the longest international careers in modern football.

&ldquo;After the time that has passed since the final, and after giving it a lot of thought, I want to let everyone know that I am retiring from the Argentina national team&hellip;&rdquo; Messi said in an Instagram post.

Messi leaves Argentina as the country&#39;s most-capped player and leading scorer, having made 207 appearances and scored 125 goals. His greatest achievement came in Qatar in 2022, when he captained Argentina to their third World Cup title. He later added another Copa Am&eacute;rica title in 2024 after helping the team win the competition three years earlier.

The announcement closes a chapter that had several difficult moments before Argentina&#39;s recent success. Messi had previously announced his retirement from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost three major finals in succession. He reversed that decision and remained with the national team for another decade.

Messi retires from International football after featuring at a record-equalling sixth World Cup. Argentina reached the 2026 final but could not retain their title, losing 1-0 to Spain after extra time.

&ldquo;There&rsquo;s not much time left and chapters are coming to a close; this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved and will always love being part of the national team,&rdquo; Messi wrote. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve given my all; I&rsquo;ve nothing left to give, and besides, there are some brilliant young players coming through who deserve their place.&rdquo;

Messi also referred to the death of his father, Jorge Messi, earlier this month. Jorge died in Rosario at the age of 68. Messi said he had written the retirement message shortly after the World Cup final but felt even more certain about the decision following his father&#39;s death.

The two-time World Cup Golden Ball winner finishes his tournament career with 21 goals, second on the all-time list behind Kylian Mbapp&eacute;. His six World Cup appearances are level with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most by any player.

The retirement applies to Argentina and does not signal the end of Messi&#39;s club career. The <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/messi-joins-miami-training-after-world-cup-duty/7301-7-0">Inter Miami forward</a> remains under contract for another two years and did not discuss his future at club level in the announcement.

&ldquo;I leave with the peace of mind and pride of having given you, together with my teammates, moments we could only have dreamed of,&rdquo; Messi wrote. &ldquo;It was incredible to have experienced it all with you. I love you all!&rdquo;

Also read: <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-net-worth-2026-salary-contract-and-billionaire-status/5669-7-0">Messi Net Worth</a>

Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football at 39 after 207 caps, bowing out following Argentina's 2026 World Cup final.

"Time Has Come" - Messi Retires From International Football

Erling Haaland has given Manchester City fans something unexpected before the new Premier League campaign, swapping his familiar long blond hair for a sharply cut military-style buzz cut.

The Norway striker, 26, revealed the transformation on his YouTube channel ahead of City&#39;s opening fixture against Bournemouth on Sunday. His long hair has been closely linked with his Viking-inspired image since his arrival at the top level, making the sudden change stand out.

Haaland described the haircut as a fresh start with the new campaign getting underway.

&ldquo;This beautiful long hair, time to let it go,&rdquo; he said.

He explained that he had considered cutting it after the World Cup but never found the right time because of his schedule. With the new season beginning, Haaland decided the moment had finally arrived.

&ldquo;I was thinking of doing it after the World Cup but I was so busy so I didn&rsquo;t do it. The season starts now so it&rsquo;s time to get a fresh start.&rdquo;

<h2>Zlatan&#39;s Advice Did Not Stop Haaland</h2>

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/erling-haaland-net-worth/5742-5-0">Erling Haaland</a> also recalled advice from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, another renowned striker who has previously sported long hair.

According to Haaland, Ibrahimovic had told him never to cut it because his strength was in his hair, a reference to the biblical story of Samson.

The advice clearly did not settle the matter for Haaland, who has now gone in the opposite direction with his latest style.

His YouTube video also featured reactions from several familiar faces. Girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen was among those surprised by the change, while former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, City teammate Jack Grealish, lifelong supporter Noel Gallagher and Ibrahimovic also appeared.

The new hairstyle has quickly given fans another talking point before Haaland begins another campaign in Manchester City colours.

For a player whose appearance has become almost as recognisable as his powerful finishing, the change is certainly hard to miss. The Erling Haaland new look is dramatically different, but City supporters will have one simple concern once the season starts.

They will want the goals to look exactly the same.

Erling Haaland has ditched his trademark long blond hair for a military-style buzz cut, unveiling a striking new look before Manchester City’s season opener.

Erling Haaland Hair Cut Revealed Ahead of Man City Opener

Inter Miami&#39;s difficult run continued on Saturday as Toronto FC secured a 2-1 victory, leaving <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-becomes-leading-world-cup-scorer/6516-7-0">Lionel Messi </a>and his teammates with four defeats from their last five games.

Messi scored Miami&#39;s only goal with eight minutes of normal time remaining, finishing first time from Rodrigo De Paul&#39;s through ball. The Argentine&#39;s strike gave the home side a chance to rescue a point, but Toronto held firm during the closing stages.

Toronto had done the damage shortly after half-time. Josh Sargent opened the scoring before Derrick Etienne Jr struck again just three minutes later, putting the visitors in control.

For Toronto, it was only their fifth win in 21 MLS matches this season. The result, however, carried extra weight as they extended their unbeaten run to four games and revived their hopes of pushing towards the playoffs.

Sargent described the result as a &quot;massive win&quot; for Toronto and called on the team to maintain the momentum as they look to climb the standings.

<h2>Inter Miami&#39;s Form Raises Concerns&nbsp;</h2>

Miami, meanwhile, are heading into a worrying stretch of the campaign. Their latest loss came after a 4-1 defeat against Nashville SC and elimination from the Leagues Cup following two losses.

A 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union in midweek had offered some relief, with Messi also finding the net in that match. It did little to change the broader picture.

Nashville have now opened a 10-point gap over Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference and Supporters&#39; Shield standings. Miami remain second in the East, but their recent results have put greater pressure on the team ahead of the playoff race.

The concern is not simply about dropping points. Miami are also trying to secure a top-four position and home advantage in the opening playoff round, making every result increasingly important.

Head coach Guillermo Hoyos took responsibility for the team&#39;s current struggles after the defeat.

&quot;Right now, we&#39;re facing a struggle with results that we didn&#39;t have before,&quot; Hoyos said, acknowledging the impact the poor run has had on the team&#39;s mindset.

For Inter Miami vs Toronto FC, the final score told only part of the story. Messi delivered another important goal, but Toronto&#39;s quick second-half burst proved decisive.

Miami now face the task of stopping the slide before the gap at the top becomes even harder to close.

Lionel Messi scored again for Inter Miami, but Toronto FC held on for a 2-1 win as Miami slipped to a fourth defeat in five games.

Messi Scores but Inter Miami Suffer 2-1 Defeat to Toronto FC

Cristiano Ronaldo has given his clearest indication yet that his extraordinary football career could be nearing its end.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain told Vogue that the upcoming campaign will probably be his final year in football, adding that he wants to leave a &ldquo;spectacular legacy&rdquo;. The comments come shortly after his sixth and final World Cup appearance with Portugal.

Ronaldo had already confirmed before the tournament in North America that the 2026 World Cup would be his last. He was eliminated with Portugal in the round of 16 after a 1-0 defeat by Spain, closing the door on one of the most remarkable international careers the sport has seen.

That tournament also added another record to his long list. Ronaldo became the first player to score at six different World Cups, while his international tally stands at 146 goals for Portugal.

Yet there is still unfinished business.

The forward remains within reach of 1,000 career goals and continues to play for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Reuters reported that he had reached 976 goals for club and country, leaving the milestone tantalisingly close.

For now, Ronaldo&#39;s attention remains on club football. His contract with Al-Nassr runs into 2027, meaning his decision to step away would come before the deal naturally expires. That makes the next campaign particularly significant.

The Ronaldo final season could therefore become a farewell tour of sorts, although he has not announced a specific retirement date or formally closed the door on continuing beyond the campaign.

His career already has a remarkable list of achievements. Five Ballon d&#39;Or awards, five Champions League titles and league championships in England, Spain and Italy sit alongside European Championship and Nations League success with Portugal.

He is also Real Madrid&#39;s all-time leading scorer and the leading scorer in men&#39;s international football. Few players have remained at the top for so long. Even now, his goals continue to arrive.

The Cristiano Ronaldo retirement conversation is no longer just speculation, though. His own words have given it weight, and if this really is the beginning of the end, football has one final Ronaldo season to watch.

Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that the 2026-27 campaign could be his final season, bringing a remarkable 25-year football career closer to its end.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Legendary Career Could End After This Season

Lionel Messi, 39, has raised serious questions about his playing future after the death of his father and longtime agent, Jorge Messi. In his first public message since the funeral, the Argentina superstar admitted he has &ldquo;serious doubts&rdquo; about continuing football for much longer.

&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what I&rsquo;ll do without you, I don&rsquo;t know how to go on,&rdquo; Messi wrote on social media, describing football as the one thing he had always played.

The admission comes days after Jorge Messi&rsquo;s funeral in Perez, near Rosario. Messi returned to the United States on Tuesday night after spending time with his family in Argentina.

His <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/jorge-messi-dies-aged-68-as-lionel-messi-mourns-father/7445-5-0">father</a> died last week aged 68. The cause of death was not disclosed, although local media had reported that Jorge had been suffering from cancer.

The timing has made Messi&rsquo;s comments particularly striking. His contract with Inter Miami runs through the end of the 2028 season, yet the wording of his message has raised the possibility that his personal decision could come well before the deal expires.

<h2>A career built alongside his father</h2>

Jorge Messi was central to the career that turned a teenage prodigy into one of football&rsquo;s biggest names. When Barcelona invited Lionel to Spain at 13, Jorge left his job, wife and three other children in Argentina to move with him.

He was also the father who took Messi to training after work, watched his matches and later negotiated major contracts at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.

That history shaped Messi&rsquo;s message. He recalled how Jorge had urged him to play in one last World Cup. His father&rsquo;s health deteriorated shortly before the tournament, meaning he could not attend.

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/lionel-messi-net-worth-2026-salary-contract-and-billionaire-status/5669-7-0">Messi</a> still delivered a remarkable campaign. At his sixth World Cup, he scored eight goals and helped Argentina reach the final against Spain. Argentina lost 1-0 in New Jersey.

Messi later returned to Rosario. He said his father initially believed the final had gone to penalties and could not fully understand what had happened.

The emotional toll was already visible during the tournament. Messi cried after scoring against Algeria and acknowledged that he was dealing with a situation outside football.

Now the Lionel Messi retirement debate has taken a sharp turn. There has been no announcement that he plans to quit, but his own words have made the question unavoidable.

The Jorge Messi death has left a personal void that may influence what comes next for the Argentina captain. His father had been present through almost every major stage of the journey.

&ldquo;You were a father, a friend, and an agent,&rdquo; Messi wrote.

For now, football has no answer about what Messi will do next. His contract remains, his status remains enormous, but the decision is suddenly personal rather than purely sporting. That choice could shape the final chapter of his career.

Lionel Messi has raised doubts over his playing future after his father Jorge Messi died, leaving supporters awaiting clarity on his next move today.

Lionel Messi Casts Fresh Doubt Over Future After Father’s Death

Donald Trump has stepped into FIFA&rsquo;s leadership crisis with a blunt warning: removing Gianni Infantino would be a &ldquo;terrible mistake.&rdquo;

The US president delivered his strongest public defence of the FIFA chief yet as pressure continues to build around the governing body&rsquo;s abandoned commercial restructuring plans.

Trump wrote on social media that FIFA should not even consider replacing Infantino, arguing that the Swiss administrator had overseen the &ldquo;most successful World Cup&rdquo; ever.

The intervention lands at a sensitive point for FIFA. UEFA, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation have accused Infantino of breaking trust through &ldquo;deception&rdquo; over the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, adding fresh pressure on his position.

<h2>Why Infantino Is Under Pressure</h2>

The FIFA Forward Enterprise plan would bring commercial rights and tournament operations under a new FIFA-controlled company. FIFA says the proposal could raise up to $4.2 billion from minority investors, based on an initial $20 billion valuation.

That proposal has triggered a fierce backlash across European football. UEFA has argued that football&rsquo;s major competitions should not be treated as assets available for outside investors, while other confederations have also raised concerns about the process.

The controversy has another politically sensitive angle. Thrive Eternal, founded by Joshua Kushner, was expected to be involved in the investor group. Kushner is the brother of Jared Kushner, Trump&rsquo;s son-in-law.

That connection has added another layer to an already uncomfortable debate.

Trump backs Infantino despite the growing revolt, insisting FIFA&rsquo;s fortunes would suffer if the president were removed.

Infantino&rsquo;s supporters can point to the 2026 World Cup, staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, as a major commercial success. Spain won the tournament after beating Argentina in the final.

But the bigger question now sits inside FIFA itself. Can Infantino survive the backlash over FFE, and can the organisation rebuild trust with its powerful confederations?

The FIFA president Gianni Infantino crisis is therefore far from settled. Trump&rsquo;s intervention may strengthen Infantino politically, but it also puts the dispute under an even brighter spotlight.

For FIFA, the next move could prove decisive.

Trump backs Infantino as pressure grows at FIFA, warning that replacing its president could damage football’s commercial future.

Trump Warns FIFA Over Gianni Infantino Exit Amid Growing Revolt

Jorge Messi&#39;s death has prompted tributes from across football, with Barcelona, the Argentine Football Association and several of Lionel Messi&#39;s former clubs among those offering condolences to the Argentina captain and his family.

Messi&#39;s former club Barcelona marked the passing before their friendly against Nottingham Forest in Udine. A minute&#39;s silence was held before the game, while the club acknowledged Jorge&#39;s involvement in the formative years of his son&#39;s career.

Barcelona thanked Jorge &ldquo;for his commitment to our club, for entrusting us with the beginnings and the most glorious years of his son Leo&#39;s football career&rdquo;.

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/jorge-messi-dies-aged-68-as-lionel-messi-mourns-father/7445-5-0">Jorge Messi</a>, who was 68, died in Rosario after a long illness. He had been an important figure throughout Lionel&#39;s rise in football and became his son&#39;s agent when Lionel was 14. His role continued as Messi established himself at Barcelona, with Argentina and later Inter Miami.

The Argentine football community also paid its respects. Supporters gathered outside Messi&#39;s childhood home in Rosario, leaving flowers and flags, while Boca Juniors and River Plate observed periods of silence. The Argentine Football Association said it &ldquo;deeply mourns with sadness and sorrow the passing of Jorge Messi, father of our captain and emblem, Lionel Messi&rdquo;.

Messi did not feature for Inter Miami in Saturday&#39;s 2-1 Leagues Cup defeat by Monterrey. The club used the occasion to honour his father, with Jorge&#39;s name shown on the stadium screens and black armbands worn by the players.

Inter Miami tributes Messi&#39;s Father also extended beyond the match itself. The club placed a black ribbon on its social media profile pictures and issued a message of support for its captain: &ldquo;Our hearts are with our captain, Leo, and the entire Messi family.&rdquo;

A personal tribute came from Rodrigo de Paul during the match. After scoring Miami&#39;s goal, the Argentina midfielder removed his shirt to reveal one carrying Messi&#39;s name, while supporters in the stands displayed messages for the family.

Luis Suarez, who missed the match through suspension, also addressed the loss on Instagram. The former Barcelona forward wrote that Jorge would continue to watch over his son &ldquo;with pride, as he always did&rdquo;.

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/paris-saint-germain-vs-bayern-munich-uefa-champions-league-semi-final-highlights/5656-7-0">Paris Saint-Germain</a> also offered its &ldquo;full support&rdquo; to Messi and his family, adding to the international response following Jorge&#39;s death.

The Inter Miami pays tribute to Jorge Messi response came as Messi stepped away from football following the loss of his father.

Inter Miami pays tribute to Jorge Messi alongside Barcelona and Argentina as the football world mourns the passing of Lionel Messi's father.

Inter Miami Pays Tribute to Jorge Messi

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