{
  "id": 5386489,
  "title": "Argentina to honor Lionel Messi with 10th-minute tribute",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/argentina-to-honor-lionel-messi-with-10th-minute-tribute",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-03T18:03:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/argentina-to-honor-lionel-messi-with-10th-minute-tribute/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Argentina will honor Lionel Messi with a 10-minute pause in matches across all men's and women's divisions during this weekend's soccer games. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) announced that a minute of applause will be observed in the 10th minute of the first half to recognize Messi's career with the national team. The 39-year-old star, who wore the No. 10 jersey extensively while representing Argentina, has scored 125 goals in 139 international matches, including eight goals in eight World Cup matches.\n\nMessi announced his retirement from the national team on Monday, expressing that it was a decision that brought him both pain and pride. He wrote on Instagram that he had always given his all for the shirt, contributing to Argentina's victories in the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. Messi's retirement marks a second farewell to international play; he previously announced his departure after the 2016 Copa America final loss to Chile. However, he opted to return and lead Argentina to glory.\n\nThe Inter Miami forward, a nine-time Ballon d'Or winner, currently plays for his fourth season with the MLS club. Last year, he helped Miami secure its maiden MLS Cup title and was named league MVP for the second consecutive season. Messi's legacy in Argentine soccer is cemented as he ends his international career.",
  "summary": "The Inter Miami star led Argentina to a runner-up finish in this summer's World Cup.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Lionel Messi retires: What records and titles does Argentina legend hold?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/lionel-messi-retires-what-records-and-titles-does-argentina-legend",
        "published": "2026-09-01T13:13:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Messi’s departure leaves Argentina facing rebuild after golden era",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/messis-departure-leaves-argentina-facing-rebuild-after-golden-era",
        "published": "2026-09-02T10:27:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "FIFA ban, Messi retirement complicate my Argentina career — Paredes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/fifa-ban-messi-retirement-complicate-my-argentina-career-paredes",
        "published": "2026-09-02T10:34:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "After Messi’s farewell, what is next for Argentina’s national team?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/after-messis-farewell-what-is-next-for-argentinas-national-team",
        "published": "2026-09-02T14:53:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Lionel Messi posts ad celebrating Argentina career: 'GOAT debate settled'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/lionel-messi-posts-ad-celebrating-argentina-career-goat-debate-settled",
        "published": "2026-09-02T20:12:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}