{
  "id": 4674241,
  "title": "It ‘hurts’ says Messi of decision to retire from international football",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/it-hurts-says-messi-of-decision-to-retire-from-international-football",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T16:20:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/world-soccer/it-hurts-says-messi-of-decision-to-retire-from-international-football/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi announced on Monday his retirement from international football following Argentina's second consecutive World Cup final appearance in July. The 39-year-old soccer star shared his decision via Instagram, stating that it deeply affected him and still does, despite understanding it was the right time. Messi emphasized that he had always given his all, not just in recent years but throughout his career, including earlier victories. He praised the shirt and his commitment to Argentina. Messi led his team to World Cup victory by clinching the 2022 final against France in a penalty shootout in Doha, but they fell short against Spain in the 2026 final, losing 1-0 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Following the death of his father Jorge in August, Messi expressed serious doubts about continuing to play football for much longer. Messi has a contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami until the end of the 2028 season, having played 207 times for Argentina and leading the team in goals with 125.",
  "summary": "He has played 207 times for Argentina and is also Argentina's leading scorer, scoring 125 goals.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Messi retires from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/messi-retires-from-international-football-4677184",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:29:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Messi retires from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/messi-retires-from-international-football-4670328",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:42:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}