{
  "id": 12375037,
  "title": "Leo Messi’s final appearance: Argentina bids farewell to its all-time record scorer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/leo-messis-final-appearance-argentina-bids-farewell-to-its-all-time",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T12:17:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "El Pais English",
    "slug": "el-pais-english",
    "url": "https://english.elpais.com/sports/2026-10-06/leo-messis-final-appearance-argentina-bids-farewell-to-its-all-time-record-scorer.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Lionel Messi will play his final game for Argentina on October 6, 2026, against Benin in Buenos Aires. The match, dubbed \"The Night That No One Wants to End,\" marks the end of his 21-year career with the national team. Messi, 39, announced his international retirement after Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain.\n\nMessi has played 207 games for Argentina, finishing as its all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, including 21 in World Cups. He appeared in a record-tying six World Cups, according to CityNews. The Argentine Football Association described the farewell match as one that will \"transcend sports\" and be \"full of emotion.\"\n\nMessi achieved his ultimate ambition of leading Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar, emulating fellow Argentine great Diego Maradona. His final training sessions and arrival at the national team were posted on social media, with Messi writing that he will miss \"special moments.\" Thousands of fans are expected to attend the farewell game at Estadio Monumental.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Lionel Messi prepares for his final match for Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/lionel-messi-prepares-for-his-final-match-for-argentina-12368577",
        "published": "2026-10-06T10:29:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Lionel Messi prepares for his final match for Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/lionel-messi-prepares-for-his-final-match-for-argentina",
        "published": "2026-10-06T10:29:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}