{
  "id": 4707605,
  "title": "Retirement: ‘We’re grateful’ – Di Maria hails Lionel Messi for choosing Argentina over Spain, Italy, Brazil",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/retirement-were-grateful-di-maria-hails-lionel-messi-for-choosing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T20:31:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/31/retirement-were-grateful-di-maria-hails-lionel-messi-for-choosing-argentina-over-spain-italy-brazil/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Manchester United player Angel Di Maria has expressed his gratitude for Lionel Messi's decision to represent Argentina in international football. Di Maria praised Messi for his commitment to the Argentine team, declaring him the \"greatest footballer in history.\" Following Messi's announcement of retirement from international football, Di Maria took to Instagram to honor his former teammate. He stated that Di Maria and Messi played crucial roles in Argentina's triumphs in four tournaments, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Copa America. Di Maria ended his own international career in 2024 and expressed his deep appreciation for Messi's choice to play for Argentina, even though he could have easily represented Spain, Brazil, or Italy due to his heritage.",
  "summary": "Former Argentina international Angel Di Maria has expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi in a heartfelt message. The ex-Manchester United player commended Messi for his decision to represent Argentina, despite having the option to play for Spain, Brazil or Italy due to his heritage. Di Maria took to Instagram to honour his former teammate following […] Retirement: ‘We’re grateful’ – Di Maria…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "World : Argentina's Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From International Football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/world-argentinas-lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-international",
        "published": "2026-08-31T13:56:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi announces international retirement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/argentine-superstar-footballer-lionel-messi-announces-international",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Lionel Messi Announces Retirement From Argentina, Says 'I Have Nothing More To Give'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-announces-retirement-from-argentina-says-i-have-nothing",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:48:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "JUST IN: Messi announces retirement from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/just-in-messi-announces-retirement-from-international-football",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:56:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Messi announces Argentina retirement in emotional farewell letter",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/messi-announces-argentina-retirement-in-emotional-farewell-letter",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:42:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "I have nothing more to give, Messi announces retirement from national team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/i-have-nothing-more-to-give-messi-announces-retirement-from-national",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:49:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Messi announces retirement from international football",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/messi-announces-retirement-from-international-football",
        "published": "2026-08-31T17:10:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "'All the joy he gave us': Argentines thank Messi as he announces international retirement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/all-the-joy-he-gave-us-argentines-thank-messi-as-he-announces",
        "published": "2026-08-31T18:41:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Lionel Messi: Infantino, De Paul, Xavi, others react as Argentina captain announces retirement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-infantino-de-paul-xavi-others-react-as-argentina-captain",
        "published": "2026-08-31T20:10:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}