{
  "id": 12337135,
  "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-12337135",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T08:38:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/end-of-an-era-as-messi-prepares-to-hang-up-argentina-boots/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Lionel Messi is set to play his final game for Argentina in a friendly against Benin. This match marks the end of his 21-year international career. The game will take place at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, with 85,000 fans in attendance.\n\nMessi, who is 39 years old, is the most-capped player in Argentine history. According to New Straits Times, he announced his international retirement in August, stating that he had given it his all and that there were great young players coming up who deserved their chance.\n\nMessi's final training session with the team took place on Monday at a complex named after him in Ezeiza, a suburb of Buenos Aires. After the game, he will remain under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although he has hinted that he may retire sooner following the recent death of his father.",
  "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."
}