{
  "id": 12421028,
  "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-12421028",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T15:20:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/06/end-of-an-era-as-messi-prepares-to-hang-up-argentina-boots"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi, Argentina's most capped player and leading scorer with 125 goals in 207 games, will bid farewell to the national team for the final time on Tuesday. The 39-year-old will play a friendly against Benin in front of 85,000 spectators at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. Messi announced his retirement in August, stating that he has given his all and that younger players deserve a chance. He is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires before the match. The captain's armband will pass to Cristian Romero, and coach Lionel Scaloni hopes the younger generation can fill the void left by Messi.",
  "summary": "Some 85,000 spectators will be present to watch the 39-year-old idol perform his wizardry in a friendly against Benin.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "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-12409685",
        "published": "2026-10-06T15:20:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}