{
  "id": 12508955,
  "title": "Lionel Messi Fights Back Tears During Argentina's National Anthem In Emotional Farewell Match | Video",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/lionel-messi-fights-back-tears-during-argentinas-national-anthem-in",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T00:12:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/lionel-messi-fights-back-tears-during-argentinas-national-anthem-in-emotional-farewell-match-video"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi wept as he sang Argentina's national anthem for the last time in an international match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Just before the farewell friendly against Benin on October 6, the Argentina captain found himself overcome with emotion, his tears threatening to spill as the anthem reverberated through the packed stadium. It was a deeply emotional moment as Messi prepared to end his more than two-decade career with his national team.\n\nAccompanied by his children, Messi listened as the anthem was performed by Fabio Santana, a veteran of the Falkland Islands conflict. The emotional scene unfolded across the stadium, with Argentina fans joining the captain in a deeply symbolic farewell. The match against Benin marked the conclusion of Messi's illustrious international career, which spanned more than two decades. At 39, the football legend had retired from international play following Argentina's loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.\n\nMessi's decision to retire came after a stellar career that included a Copa America triumph in 2021, another in 2024, a Finalissima victory in 2022, and the World Cup in Qatar later that year. As he stood alongside his teammates, his eyes glistening with tears, the significance of the occasion was impossible to ignore. For generations of Argentinian supporters, it represented the closing of one of football's most illustrious chapters: the final international bow to the player who had delivered the World Cup and countless unforgettable memories to his country.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion as he sang Argentina’s national anthem for what proved to be the final time in an international match at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Moments before Argentina’s farewell friendly against Benin on Tuesday, October 6, Messi struggled to hold back his tears as the national anthem echoed around the packed stadium. The Argentina captain was visibly…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Fans flood Buenos Aires ahead of Messi’s final international match",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/fans-flood-buenos-aires-ahead-of-messis-final-international-match",
        "published": "2026-10-06T22:07:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Teammates and fans bid emotional farewell to Messi ahead of Argentina finale",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/teammates-and-fans-bid-emotional-farewell-to-messi-ahead-of-argentina",
        "published": "2026-10-06T22:41:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Teammates and fans bid emotional farewell to Messi ahead of Argentina finale",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/teammates-and-fans-bid-emotional-farewell-to-messi-ahead-of-argentina-12497252",
        "published": "2026-10-06T23:19:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Lionel Messi Gets Emotional Standing Ovation From Fans And Players In 10th Minute Of Final Argentina Match | Video",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/lionel-messi-gets-emotional-standing-ovation-from-fans-and-players-in",
        "published": "2026-10-07T00:31:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Messi shines in Argentina farewell, ends 21-year career with goal and assist",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-shines-in-argentina-farewell-ends-21-year-career-with-goal-and",
        "published": "2026-10-07T01:27:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Messi's emotional farewell ends in 1 goal, 2 assists and 3-0 win for Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messis-emotional-farewell-ends-in-1-goal-2-assists-and-3-0-win-for",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:18:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Football: Lionel Messi plays final game for Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/football-lionel-messi-plays-final-game-for-argentina",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:35:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Messi signs off in tears after one last Argentina master class",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-signs-off-in-tears-after-one-last-argentina-master-class-12535506",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:39:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}