{
  "id": 12537598,
  "title": "Messi bows out with goal, two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-bows-out-with-goal-two-assists-as-argentina-beat-benin-3-0-12537598",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T03:56:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/messi-bows-out-with-goal-two-assists-as-argentina-beat-benin-3-0/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Argentine legend Lionel Messi bid farewell to his international career on Tuesday night, scoring a goal and providing two assists as Argentina thrashed Benin 3-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. The 21-year-long international career of Messi drew to a close after the match, marking him as the country's most-capped player with 208 appearances and its record goalscorer with 126 goals. Inter Miami reported the game, stating that Messi had been directly involved in each of Argentina's goals. The Argentina-Benin friendly was originally announced by FIFA as Messi's farewell appearance for the national team.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi ended his 21-year international career with a goal and two assists as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in his farewell match in Buenos Aires. Read More: https://punchng.com/messi-bows-out-with-goal-two-assists-as-argentina-beat-benin-3-0/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Messi bows out with goal, two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-bows-out-with-goal-two-assists-as-argentina-beat-benin-3-0",
        "published": "2026-10-07T03:44:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}