Lionel Messi Returns to Argentina After World Cup Heartbreak

Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina following the team's heartbreaking loss to Spain in the World Cup final. Arriving in Rosario, he expressed his pain and gratitude for the support from fans. Alongside his family, Messi reflects on the journey and prepares to rejoin Inter Miami for the ongoing MLS season. Meanwhile, fifteen other players from the Argentina squad have also returned home, acknowledging their achievement of reaching consecutive World Cup finals.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 21, 2026, 23:16 IST

Messi's Emotional Return

On Tuesday, Lionel Messi touched down in Argentina for a brief respite following the team's defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. His private aircraft arrived near his hometown of Rosario from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 6:27 a.m. Despite the presence of numerous fans holding banners and flags, Messi chose not to engage with the crowd.

In a heartfelt message on Instagram, he expressed, “The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. I treasure all the wonderful moments and memories that will last a lifetime, along with the support from a nation that, together with our hard work, has once again placed us among the world's elite.”

Fans only caught a fleeting glimpse of the SUV that picked up Messi from the tarmac, taking him and his family to their residence in Funes, located about 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Buenos Aires. Accompanying him were his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children, who had been by his side throughout the tournament in North America. His father, Jorge, 68, was waiting for him in Rosario, undergoing treatment for an undisclosed health issue that the family had previously shared during the World Cup.

Supporters began gathering at the airport as early as 3:30 a.m., eager to catch a glimpse of the football icon. Among them were two young girls wearing Albiceleste jerseys, holding signs that read: “Messi: You’re a legend. Thank you for bringing joy to our hearts. A whole country loves you!” Messi is anticipated to rejoin Inter Miami in late July or early August for the ongoing MLS season.

Argentina Squad Returns Home After World Cup 2026

Fifteen Argentina Players Land Home After FIFA World Cup 2026

Fifteen players from Argentina's 26-member World Cup squad, under the guidance of head coach Lionel Scaloni, arrived at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza Airport on Monday via a chartered flight. This return follows their 1–0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final held in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time.

Messi reflected on the team's journey, stating, “It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message.” He also extended congratulations to Spain for their championship victory.

This match marked Messi's third appearance in a World Cup final, following his previous outings in 2014 and 2022. He concluded the tournament as the runner-up for the Golden Boot, netting eight goals, just two behind France's Kylian Mbappé, who leads the all-time World Cup scoring chart with 22 goals, one more than Messi.