{
  "id": 7713317,
  "title": "Lionel Messi Added To Argentina Squad For October 6 Farewell Game",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/lionel-messi-added-to-argentina-squad-for-october-6-farewell-game",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T05:25:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/lionel-messi-added-to-argentina-squad-for-october-6-farewell-game"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lionel Messi, the world's best player, has been added to Argentina's squad for his farewell game on October 6. Despite announcing his international retirement, the 39-year-old Inter Miami star was included in Lionel Scaloni's 28-man team. President of the Argentine Football Association, Claudio Tapia, announced the decision, stating that Messi will receive the farewell he deserves if he decides to join the team for the match against Benin. The Argentine soccer icon led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and helped them reach the final of the 2026 edition. The country's soccer association also announced friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin, with the final match scheduled for October 6 in Buenos Aires.",
  "summary": "Buenos Aires: Lionel Messi might have one last dance with Argentina after all. Despite announcing his international retirement, the 39-year-old Inter Miami star was included Tuesday in Lionel Scaloni's 28-man Argentina squad ahead of three home friendlies. Messi has yet to confirm whether he will join the team, but the head of Argentina soccer said the icon accepted the invitation for the Oct. 6…",
  "key_points": [
    "Lionel Messi added to Argentina's 28-man squad for farewell game.",
    "Messi included despite announcing international retirement.",
    "Match against Benin scheduled for October 6 in Buenos Aires."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Argentine Football Association's decision to add Lionel Messi to the squad for his farewell game signals a change in his international retirement plans, allowing for a potentially emotional sendoff.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
        "title": "Lionel Messi Added to Argentina’s Roster for Oct. 6 Friendly That Team Says Will Be Farewell Match",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/lionel-messi-added-to-argentinas-roster-for-oct-6-friendly-that-team",
        "published": "2026-09-16T01:47:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}