{
  "id": 4681845,
  "title": "Lionel Messi announces retirement; fans struggle to accept: ‘Poetic ending to his GOAT career’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-fans-struggle-to-accept-poetic",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-31T17:18:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-fans-struggle-to-accept-poetic-ending-to-his-goat-career-11788195049348.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 39, leaving fans heartbroken and stunned. In an emotional Instagram post, Messi revealed that his father's death significantly influenced his decision, saying, \"It was a decision that hurt and still hurts deep inside, but I understand that this is the right moment.\" Despite his grief, the football superstar took the opportunity to thank his supporters, family, coaches, teammates, and directors for their unwavering support throughout a 20-year career. He acknowledged the arrival of new talent and expressed pride in his accomplishments, stating, \"I give everything I have, and I don't have anything more to give.\" Fellow fans have struggled to accept the news, with some describing Messi as \"the GOAT\" and lamenting the end of an era.",
  "summary": "The football star, who is adored by millions of supporters worldwide, left fans devastated and in disbelief.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Why did Messi retire from international football?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/why-did-messi-retire-from-international-football",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:24:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-international-football-4672713",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Buenos Aires Times",
        "title": "Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-international-football-4665665",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:30:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Standard IN",
        "title": "End of an era: Messi announces retirement from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/end-of-an-era-messi-announces-retirement-from-international-football",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:42:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-international-football-4678979",
        "published": "2026-08-31T17:09:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Financial Times",
        "title": "Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-international-football-4681585",
        "published": "2026-08-31T17:19:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Lionel Messi Net Worth 2026: Salary, endorsements, cars, properties and luxury assets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-net-worth-2026-salary-endorsements-cars-properties-and",
        "published": "2026-08-31T17:52:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Buenos Aires Herald",
        "title": "The world reacts to Messi’s farewell to international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/the-world-reacts-to-messis-farewell-to-international-football",
        "published": "2026-08-31T18:58:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}