{
  "id": 12294726,
  "title": "Lionel Messi set for 'Last Tango' with Argentina as Cristiano Ronaldo pouts on Portugal sidelines",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/lionel-messi-set-for-last-tango-with-argentina-as-cristiano-ronaldo",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T03:44:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/10/06/lionel-messi-set-for-last-tango-with-argentina-as-cristiano-ronaldo-pouts-on-portugal-sidelines/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Buenos Aires will witness an emotional farewell to Lionel Messi on Tuesday night as he bids farewell to the Argentina national team. The 39-year-old will make his 208th and final appearance for La Albiceleste in a friendly against Benin at Monumental Stadium. Messi, who has scored 125 goals and provided 68 assists for his country, will end his international career with 85,018 tickets for the match selling out within two hours. The team will wear a special kit for the occasion, and the 2022 World Cup-winning squad is invited to join the celebrations. Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, described the match as \"unforgettable\" for everyone involved, including Messi. The team will continue to exist, but without Messi's presence on the pitch, the Argentine national team will never be the same.",
  "summary": "Expect tears in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night as Lionel Messi bids what is sure to be an emotional farewell to the Argentina national team. The 39-year-old will be winning his 208th and final cap for La Albiceleste when they take on Benin in a friendly at Monumental Stadium, bringing the curtain down on a career that has seen him score 125 goals and provide 68 assists for his country. From 2021…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Lionel Messi set for 'Last Tango' with Argentina as Cristiano Ronaldo pouts on Portugal sidelines",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/lionel-messi-set-for-last-tango-with-argentina-as-cristiano-ronaldo-12298554",
        "published": "2026-10-06T03:44:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Lionel Messi's family tree: Who are Argentina star's wife, kids and parents as soccer legend says farewell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/lionel-messis-family-tree-who-are-argentina-stars-wife-kids-and",
        "published": "2026-10-06T05:50:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}