{
  "id": 12515678,
  "title": "Lionel Messi Wipes Away Tears On Team Bus As Thousands Of Argentina Fans Gather To Witness His Farewell Match | Video",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/lionel-messi-wipes-away-tears-on-team-bus-as-thousands-of-argentina",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T00:47:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/lionel-messi-wipes-away-tears-on-team-bus-as-thousands-of-argentina-fans-gather-to-witness-his-farewell-match-video"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi broke down in tears as he journeyed on the Argentina team bus to the Monumental Stadium for his final international match. The emotional scenes unfolded before the farewell game against Benin in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old was seen gazing out of the window at the massive crowds lining the streets, their cheers and waving flags overwhelming the legendary No. 10. Lionel Messi, who made his debut for Argentina in 2005, entered the Benin match with an impressive record of 207 appearances, 125 goals, and 68 assists. His farewell was the culmination of a remarkable 21-year career, during which he led Argentina to Copa America victories in 2021 and 2024, the Finalissima in 2022, and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The Argentine Football Association had organized a grand celebration at the Monumental Stadium, with over 85,000 fans expected to attend. Messi had expressed his desire to leave international football on a high note, having given his all to Argentina. As the team bus reached the Monumental and the end of his international journey truly began, the sight of his tears provided a poignant testament to the significance of the moment for both Messi and his fans.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion as he travelled on the Argentina team bus to the Monumental Stadium ahead of his final international appearance for the national team. Footage showed the legendary No. 10 wiping away tears as thousands of supporters lined the streets to bid farewell to their captain. The emotional scenes unfolded before Argentina’s farewell match against Benin in Buenos…",
  "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 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",
        "published": "2026-10-07T00:12:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}