{
  "id": 12533081,
  "title": "Emotion, tears as Messi retires from Argentina national team",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/emotion-tears-as-messi-retires-from-argentina-national-team-12533081",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T03:21:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Buenos Aires Times",
    "slug": "buenos-aires-times",
    "url": "https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/sports/emotion-tears-as-messi-retires-from-argentina-national-team.phtml"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi concluded his remarkable 21-year international career for Argentina with a tearful farewell match, drawing adoration from a crowd of 85,000 at the Monumental Stadium. The 39-year-old, widely seen as the greatest football player of all time, scored his 126th goal for his country in a 3-0 victory over Benin. Messi, who played his record-extending 208th international, also provided a corner kick assist for the opening goal by veteran Nicolás Otamendi, while youngster Nico Paz scored from a pass from the captain. The emotional occasion, billed as \"The Last Tango,\" saw Messi savouring the adulation of the crowd one last time. Before the game, a giant Argentina shirt bearing the word \"Gracias\" was laid out on the pitch, and emotions ran high as Messi wiped away tears en route to the stadium. The match, which Messi missed a few chances during, was capped off by a penalty goal in the 71st minute. Messi expressed no regrets about his decision to retire, citing Argentina's grueling World Cup campaign and the death of his late father as factors. He said that playing for Argentina is the most beautiful thing that can happen to a player. Former Barcelona teammate Neymar praised Messi for making the world love football even more, and Enzo Fernández, who idolized Messi as a child, was also in tears after the match.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi shares his emotions and skills as he bids an emotional farewell to Argentina's national team; Star scores and assists two in 3-0 win over Benin at the Monumental. Leer más",
  "key_points": [
    "Messi ends 21-year Argentina career with emotional farewell match",
    "126th goal scored in 3-0 victory over Benin",
    "Crowd of 85,000 witnesses The Last Tango"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Lionel Messi's retirement from Argentina's national team marks a poignant end to an era, shifting the country's football landscape and leaving a legacy that has endeared him to fans and fellow players alike.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Emotion, tears as Messi retires from Argentina national team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/emotion-tears-as-messi-retires-from-argentina-national-team",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Buenos Aires Times",
        "title": "'I'm going to miss you' – Messi thanks Argentina fans after 'painful' retirement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/im-going-to-miss-you-messi-thanks-argentina-fans-after-painful",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:52:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Emotion, tears as Messi retires from Argentina national team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/emotion-tears-as-messi-retires-from-argentina-national-team-12531222",
        "published": "2026-10-07T02:58:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Emotion, tears as Messi retires from Argentina national team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/emotion-tears-as-messi-retires-from-argentina-national-team-12529739",
        "published": "2026-10-07T03:02:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "'Not coming anymore is going to hurt a lot': Messi's emotional message to Argentina on farewell appearance",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/not-coming-anymore-is-going-to-hurt-a-lot-messis-emotional-message-to",
        "published": "2026-10-07T03:25:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}