{
  "id": 4707611,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T20:10:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-infantino-de-paul-xavi-others-react-as-argentina-captain-announces-retirement/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football after 21 years of representing Argentina. The 39-year-old scored 125 goals and provided 58 assists, winning four titles, including a FIFA World Cup. Messi's teammates and former teammates took to social media to express their gratitude and admiration.\n\nRodrigo De Paul, Messi's fellow international player, said, \"Just thank you. The greatest of all time. Thank you for making us so incredibly happy.\" FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Messi, writing, \"Congratulations @leomessi on an extraordinary international career which has inspired millions and redefined the beautiful game.\" Xavi Hernandez, Messi's former Barcelona teammate, wrote, \"Warmest congratulations, Leo!! You've achieved everything you wanted with your country!! Big hug, my friend!\"\n\nAtletico Madrid forward Giuliano Simeone thanked Messi, saying, \"Thank you, Leo. For everything you did for our country, for everything you made us feel, and for having been an inspiration to so many of us since we were kids.\" Inter Milan striker Lisandro Martinez expressed sadness, adding, \"You're never prepared for these things, but from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!! You are my example and an example for the whole world, a winner in football and a winner in life.\" Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez shared, \"I didn't just get to play with you. We shared training camps, the dressing room, conversations, hugs, difficult moments, incredible moments, and we ended up becoming world champions together.\"",
  "summary": "Some football personalities have reacted to Lionel Messi’s retirement from international football. Messi had earlier today announced his retirement from the Albiceleste after 21 years of representing his country. The 39-year-old scored 125 goals and provided 58 assists for Argentina as he won four senior titles, including one FIFA World Cup. Reacting, Messi’s international teammate […] Lionel…",
  "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": "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",
        "published": "2026-08-31T20:31:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}