{
  "id": 12563564,
  "title": "Messi calls Argentina retirement ‘saddest day of my career’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-calls-argentina-retirement-saddest-day-of-my-career",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T06:30:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/messi-calls-argentina-retirement-saddest-day-of-my-career/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Lionel Messi has described his retirement from international football as the ‘saddest day of my career’. He played his final game for Argentina in a friendly match against Benin Republic, which ended in a 3-0 win. According to Daily Post Nigeria, Messi was involved in all three goals, scoring one and providing two assists.\n\nMessi addressed 85,000 fans after the match, expressing his gratitude and sadness about retiring from international football. He said playing for Argentina was the most beautiful thing and that he would have loved to continue playing for the team for his entire life.\n\nMessi finished his Argentina career as the country's most-capped player with 208 appearances and 126 goals, Daily Post Nigeria reported.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "‘They are from another planet’ – Willian picks better player between Messi, Ronaldo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/they-are-from-another-planet-willian-picks-better-player-between",
        "published": "2026-10-07T06:30:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Messi calls Argentina retirement ‘saddest day of my career’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-calls-argentina-retirement-saddest-day-of-my-career-12564412",
        "published": "2026-10-07T06:34:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Watch: Messi rejects selfie request from Benin player in retirement match",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/watch-messi-rejects-selfie-request-from-benin-player-in-retirement",
        "published": "2026-10-07T06:52:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}