{
  "id": 12722908,
  "title": "Messi says already missing playing for Argentina",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-says-already-missing-playing-for-argentina",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T21:56:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/08/messi-says-already-missing-playing-for-argentina"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi has announced he is already missing playing for Argentina less than 24 hours after his final match. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who scored a penalty in the 3-0 win over Benin, described the occasion as the saddest day of his career. Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory four years ago, now says he misses the light blue and white jersey. Despite his team's aggressive style of play during their run to the final, Messi says he knows he is making the right decision. He remains Argentina's record goalscorer with 126 goals and has won a record number of caps with 208, including 70 assists for the national team. Messi thanked his family, teammates, and paid tribute to football legend Diego Maradona.",
  "summary": "Lionel Messi wrote on social media that he already missed wearing the light blue and white jersey after calling time on his international career.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Ronaldo hails Messi after Argentina great says he already misses national team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/ronaldo-hails-messi-after-argentina-great-says-he-already-misses",
        "published": "2026-10-07T19:17:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Messi says already missing playing for Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-says-already-missing-playing-for-argentina-12728087",
        "published": "2026-10-07T21:56:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Messi says already missing playing for Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/messi-says-already-missing-playing-for-argentina-12734705",
        "published": "2026-10-07T23:14:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}