{
  "id": 12583456,
  "title": "Messi signs off with goal, two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-signs-off-with-goal-two-assists-as-argentina-beat-benin-3-0",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T08:34:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Premium Times",
    "slug": "premium-times",
    "url": "https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/915152-messi-signs-off-with-goal-two-assists-as-argentina-beat-benin-3-0.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Lionel Messi played his final match for Argentina in a 3-0 friendly win over Benin. The match, dubbed \"The Last Tango\", was attended by a sold-out crowd of 85,000 supporters at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. According to The Citizen, Messi contributed to all three goals, scoring his 126th international goal and providing assists for Nicolas Otamendi and Nico Paz.\n\nMessi, who is widely regarded as the greatest football player in history, ended his 21-year international career with a record-extending 208 appearances. In a post-match address, he expressed his pride in defending the Argentina jersey for over 20 years, but admitted that not coming back will be \"deeply painful\". As reported by The Citizen and New Straits Times, Messi said he would love to play for the rest of his life, but feels that this is the right moment to retire, citing Argentina's grueling World Cup campaign as a factor.\n\nMessi promised to continue supporting the Argentina national team, saying \"I am going to miss all of you so much, but I will always be on your side\" as per Daily Post Nigeria. His final match was an emotional occasion, with fans chanting his name and singing to him throughout the game.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Lionel Messi’s last game for Argentina ends in triumph and tears",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/lionel-messis-last-game-for-argentina-ends-in-triumph-and-tears",
        "published": "2026-10-07T05:54:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}