{
  "id": 12444514,
  "title": "Neymar hails Messi ahead of Argentina farewell",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/neymar-hails-messi-ahead-of-argentina-farewell",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T19:00:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/neymar-hails-messi-ahead-of-argentina-farewell/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. has expressed his admiration for World Cup winner Lionel Messi prior to the latter's farewell match for Argentina against the Republic of Benin at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Messi, the most-capped player in Argentine history, is retiring after losing the 2026 World Cup final to Spain. Despite this, he will wear Argentina's blue-and-white jersey for the last time in an emotional farewell game. Neymar, who played alongside Messi at FC Barcelona where they won numerous club trophies, praised Messi in an emotional tribute. He expressed hope that Messi would enjoy every second of his final game and thanked him for his contributions to football. Neymar stated, \"Anyone who loves football has enjoyed you throughout all these years... It was an honour to have played against you, and even more so to have made history alongside you. Thank you, Leo Messi.\" The 39-year-old Messi is set to perform in front of 85,000 Argentine fans at the largest stadium in South America.",
  "summary": "Brazilian star Neymar Jr has paid an emotional tribute to Lionel Messi ahead of the World Cup winner’s final farewell match for Argentina in Buenos Aires. Read More: https://punchng.com/neymar-hails-messi-ahead-of-argentina-farewell/",
  "key_points": [
    "Neymar praises Messi ahead of Argentina's farewell match.",
    "Messi retiring after losing 2026 World Cup final to Spain.",
    "Neymar played with Messi at FC Barcelona, won club trophies together."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Messi’s last Argentina game: Where and when to watch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/messis-last-argentina-game-where-and-when-to-watch",
        "published": "2026-10-06T13:50:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Lionel Messi farewell match: When, where and how to watch Argentina vs Benin?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/lionel-messi-farewell-match-when-where-and-how-to-watch-argentina-vs",
        "published": "2026-10-06T14:24:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Neymar hails Messi ahead of Argentina farewell",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/neymar-hails-messi-ahead-of-argentina-farewell-12444588",
        "published": "2026-10-06T19:00:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}