{
  "id": 5897127,
  "title": "Messi, Ronaldo to line up together for first time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/messi-ronaldo-to-line-up-together-for-first-time",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-06T03:40:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/09/1526754/messi-ronaldo-line-together-first-time"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Carlos Tevez is organizing a farewell match for Boca Juniors, featuring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing together for the first time. The event is scheduled for December 12-13 or the weekend immediately following. Tevez, who retired in June 2022, has consulted his former teammate and current club president Juan Roman Riquelme regarding the match scheduling. The purpose is to assemble a team of friends from a career that spanned clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, and Juventus. Over 60 stars who played alongside Tevez during his illustrious career are expected to participate. Both Messi and Ronaldo are rumored to be involved in this unprecedented moment, as they only played against each other during their respective careers, primarily at Barcelona and Real Madrid. Tevez began his career at Boca Juniors, moved to Europe, and returned twice, maintaining his status as one of the most beloved figures in the club's modern history.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Former Argentina striker Carlos Tevez is planning a farewell match featuring both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same team at Boca Juniors' La Bombonera Stadium.",
  "key_points": [
    "Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to play together for first time",
    "Carlos Tevez organizing farewell match for Boca Juniors",
    "Over 60 former teammates expected to participate"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This high-profile friendly match marks a unique opportunity for two of football's greatest players to team up, having previously only faced each other as opponents during their illustrious careers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}