{
  "id": 12523815,
  "title": "Football: Lionel Messi plays final game for Argentina",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/football-lionel-messi-plays-final-game-for-argentina",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T02:35:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/football-lionel-messi-plays-final-game-for-argentina/a-79570608?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi completed his final match for Argentina on Tuesday night, netting his 126th and last international goal in a 3-0 win over Benin at El Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. The 39-year-old starlet was involved in setting up goals for teammates Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz, who are set to succeed him as the team's marquee player. Following the match, Messi addressed fans, expressing his gratitude for wearing the national jersey and hinting at the emotional toll of the decision to retire from international football. Widely acknowledged as the best player of all time, Messi announced his international retirement in August, nearly a month after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final. Despite Argentina's loss in the 2026 World Cup final, Messi's crowning moment came four years earlier when he led his nation to victory in the 2022 World Cup, following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final.",
  "summary": "Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi bowed out of international football with one last goal for his country. For football in Argentina, and indeed across the world, it's the end of an era.",
  "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 English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Football: Lionel Messi plays final game for Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/football-lionel-messi-plays-final-game-for-argentina-12525101",
        "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."
}