{
  "id": 12327536,
  "title": "End of an era as Messi prepares to hang up Argentina boots",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/end-of-an-era-as-messi-prepares-to-hang-up-argentina-boots",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T07:30:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/end-era-messi-prepares-hang-073043491.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After 21 years of international football, Lionel Messi will hang up his Argentina boots for the final time on Tuesday, bidding farewell to his adoring fans at the iconic Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old, who led the team to their first World Cup victory in 36 years in 2022, announced his retirement in August, stating that he had given his all and that younger players deserved their chance. Messi, the most-capped player in Argentine history with 207 appearances and 125 goals, remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, though he may retire sooner following his father's death. In his final game against Benin, Messi will be joined by several of his former teammates, including defender Cristian Cuti Romero, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez, and forwards Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. The captain's armband will pass to Romero, and coach Lionel Scaloni hopes the younger generation, such as Franco Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni, who scored their first international goals in Argentina's recent victories, will fill the void left by the club legend.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi will pull on Argentina's sky blue-and-white jersey for the last time on Tuesday and enjoy an emotional farewell in front of his adoring fans in a stadium with a name to match his legacy: Monumental. - Coveted number 10 jersey - Messi is not only Argentina's record appearance-maker but also its leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 games, as well as a record 68 assists.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "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",
        "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "End of an era as Messi prepares to hang up Argentina boots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/end-of-an-era-as-messi-prepares-to-hang-up-argentina-boots-12331734",
        "published": "2026-10-06T08:04:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "End of an era as Messi prepares to hang up Argentina boots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/end-of-an-era-as-messi-prepares-to-hang-up-argentina-boots-12334292",
        "published": "2026-10-06T08:05:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ghanaian Times",
        "title": "Messi joins Argentina for farewell game against Benin",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/messi-joins-argentina-for-farewell-game-against-benin",
        "published": "2026-10-06T08:29:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}