{
  "id": 7685666,
  "title": "Messi to End Argentina Career with Benin Rep. Friendly",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/messi-to-end-argentina-career-with-benin-rep-friendly",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T02:08:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/16/messi-to-end-argentina-career-with-benin-rep-friendly/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Argentina has selected Lionel Messi for a friendly match against Benin Republic in October, marking the forward's anticipated farewell to international football. The 39-year-old announced his retirement from the national team in August, following Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain and his father's passing, Jorge. With the decision to retire, Messi expressed that it \"hurt him deeply\" yet he acknowledged having given his \"all\" and had \"nothing left to give\". Messi, a multiple Ballon d'Or winner and Inter Miami striker, is Argentina's all-time top scorer and most-capped player, boasting 125 goals and 207 appearances for his country. Argentine FA President Claudio Tapia announced the selection, stating that they chose to invite the world's best player, Argentina's captain and symbol, Lionel Andres Messi, for a farewell worthy of the occasion on October 6th in Argentina.",
  "summary": "Argentina have named Lionel Messi in their squad for a friendly against Benin Republic in October in a match which is set to be the forward’s farewell to international football.",
  "key_points": [
    "Lionel Messi selected for Argentina's farewell friendly against Benin on October 6th.",
    "Messi announces retirement after World Cup loss and father's passing.",
    "Messi holds Argentina's record with 125 goals and 207 appearances."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Argentine FA's decision to stage a farewell friendly for Lionel Messi signals his lasting stature as a national hero and symbol of the country's football identity.",
  "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."
}