{
  "id": 4739986,
  "title": "Argentina star Lionel Messi retires from international soccer with World Cup title and 125 goals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/argentina-star-lionel-messi-retires-from-international-soccer-with",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T23:30:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260901/p2g/00m/0sp/005000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Argentina's world-renowned soccer star Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, concluding a 21-year career marked by a World Cup victory in 2022. The 39-year-old Messi revealed his decision on Instagram, expressing that he understands the time had come. Messi, who continues to play at club level with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, has played in a record-setting six World Cups and finished as the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 125 goals, including 21 during World Cups. No player has more goals in men's internationals, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading at 146. Messi, often compared to compatriot Diego Maradona and Brazil's Pele, stands alongside them as one of the greatest players ever. He played 207 games for Argentina and delivers heartfelt gratitude to fans and teammates for their unwavering support.",
  "summary": "BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentina superstar Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international soccer on Monday, ending 21 years of nati",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Lionel Messi Retiring from Argentina’s National Team 1 Month After Crushing World Cup Loss",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-retiring-from-argentinas-national-team-1-month-after",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:39:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Forbes",
        "title": "Lionel Messi—Soccer Legend And Billionaire—Retires From Argentina National Team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-soccer-legend-and-billionaire-retires-from-argentina-4674204",
        "published": "2026-08-31T15:42:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The New York Times",
        "title": "Lionel Messi’s Retirement From Soccer Sparks Heartbreak Across Argentina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messis-retirement-from-soccer-sparks-heartbreak-across",
        "published": "2026-08-31T18:27:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Rolling Stone",
        "title": "Lionel Messi Is Retiring From International Soccer — Here’s Where to Buy His Argentina Jersey Online",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/lionel-messi-is-retiring-from-international-soccer-heres-where-to-buy",
        "published": "2026-08-31T18:55:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "Loss That Made Lionel Messi Walk Away From Argentina National Team",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/loss-that-made-lionel-messi-walk-away-from-argentina-national-team",
        "published": "2026-08-31T19:08:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}