{
  "id": 9279452,
  "title": "Retirement: ‘I’m so happy’ – Ronaldinho sends message to Lionel Messi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/retirement-im-so-happy-ronaldinho-sends-message-to-lionel-messi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T05:36:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/23/retirement-im-so-happy-ronaldinho-sends-message-to-lionel-messi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Renowned football figure Ronaldinho has expressed his happiness upon learning of Lionel Messi's decision to retire from international football. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, the Brazilian legend, who served as Messi's mentor during their shared tenure at Barcelona, conveyed his contentment with Messi's achievements.\n\nRonaldinho, speaking highly of Messi, emphasized that the Argentine star holds a unique and cherished place in his heart. He said, “Messi is a very dear friend, and he has a very special place in my heart.”\n\nAcknowledging Messi's remarkable journey, Ronaldinho conveyed, \"I am so happy for everything he has accomplished and continues to achieve. I hope he continues to bring joy to people as he always has, and that he ends his playing career in the best way possible.\"\n\nThe two footballers embarked on a nearly four-year journey together at Barcelona, where they appeared 80 times together and scored eight goals collectively. It was Ronaldinho who provided the assist for Messi's maiden senior goal for Barcelona. Despite Messi's retirement announcement from international football last month, he was surprisingly included in Argentina's squad for their friendly matches during the current international break. In these upcoming matches, Argentina will face Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin Republic. However, Messi is anticipated to feature only in the game against Benin Republic on October 6.",
  "summary": "Brazilian football legend, Ronaldinho, has paid a heartfelt tribute to Lionel Messi following the Inter Miami forward’s retirement from international football. Ronaldinho said he is happy with what the 39-year-old has achieved and continues to achieve in football. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Ronaldinho, who is widely recognised as Messi’s mentor during their […] Retirement: ‘I’m so…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Five moments that defined Lionel Messi’s football legacy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/five-moments-that-defined-lionel-messis-football-legacy",
        "published": "2026-09-23T04:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}