Monument

Lionel Messi was honoured in a farewell friendly at Argentina's Monumental stadium, where he scored a goal and provided two assists, including one for Nicolás Otamendi's opener against Benin. The match was paused in the 10th minute as fans paid tribute, and a 'Las Malvinas son argentinas' banner reappeared among the crowd. Reports also noted notable absences, including Papu Gómez and other past world champions.

Argentina are playing Benin, with the match drawing wide attention across Spain and Latin America. Fans at the Monumental in Buenos Aires paid an emotional tribute to Lionel Messi, who is being honoured in what is billed as his farewell with the Argentina national team. Chants and banners celebrated the captain, with one widely shared slogan reading 'Ronaldo is Cristiano, Messi is God'.

Argentina are playing an international friendly against Benin as Lionel Messi prepares to say goodbye to the national team at the Monumental stadium. Organisers are preparing a giant jersey to honour the captain, while a Benin player said his side will not mark Messi, calling him a god. Fans worldwide are following the send-off match for one of football's greatest players.

Belgian cyclist Remco Evenepoel has won the Monument race where, six years ago, a horrific crash into a ravine nearly ended his career. The victory marks a striking full-circle moment: the rider who once lay motionless at the same event has now conquered it, completing one of cycling's most remarkable comeback stories.

Travel coverage is highlighting Easter Island as one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world. The remote Chilean territory in the Pacific, famous for its monumental moai statues, is being described as unlike anywhere else on the planet. The piece reflects ongoing interest in far-flung, once-in-a-lifetime travel destinations.

Euphoria has taken over Buenos Aires as thousands of fans crowd the Estadio Monumental to attend what is being described as Lionel Messi's historic final match with the Argentina national team. Spanish-language media including Univision are covering the scene, with supporters gathering hours in advance to be part of what many see as the end of an era for the country's most celebrated player.

Travellers are highlighting Kamakura, the coastal city about an hour south of Tokyo, as a destination full of beauty. Posts point to its most famous landmark, the Great Buddha of Kamakura, a monumental bronze statue, as part of the appeal. The city is being promoted as an easy day trip from the Japanese capital for visitors seeking temples, coastline and historic charm.

Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota is drawing renewed attention for her large-scale thread installations, which weave vast webs of yarn around everyday objects to evoke memory, loss and personal history. Coverage highlights how her immersive works transform ordinary belongings into meditations on absence and remembrance, cementing her reputation as one of the most distinctive contemporary installation artists working today.

Actress Maribel Verdú, 56, reportedly escapes to a picturesque village of around 150 inhabitants in Cantabria when she wants to disconnect. The hamlet, which sits about 30 minutes on foot from a designated Historic-Artistic Monument, has drawn attention as the star's quiet refuge, sparking interest in the little-known corner of northern Spain.

Thousands of Argentina supporters have poured into Buenos Aires and packed the Monumental stadium ahead of Lionel Messi's final international match with the national team. Crowds gathered to bid farewell to the captain who led Argentina to World Cup and Copa America titles, in what marks the end of an era for Argentine football.

Music history retrospectives for October 5 highlight the release of the Beatles' very first single, a double-chart takeover by Guns N' Roses, and birthdays of rock figures including Steve Miller, born in 1943. The roundup frames these anniversaries as milestones of classic rock and heavy metal, celebrating the enduring influence of these artists on popular music history.