Lionel Messi arrived back in Argentina on Tuesday for a period of rest after the World Cup final loss to Spain. Messi's private jet landed near his hometown of Rosario in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 6:27 a.m. Despite the presence of fans with signs and flags, he did not make a public appearance.
A brief glimpse of the SUV that met Messi on the tarmac was the only public sighting as he and his family were transported to the private neighborhood of Funes, approximately 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires. Messi reportedly traveled with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children, who had accompanied him throughout the tournament. His father, Jorge, who is 68 and has been undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, was waiting for him in Rosario. Family members had disclosed his father's condition during the World Cup.
Fans had gathered at the airport since 3:30 a.m. in hopes of seeing the star. Signs held by supporters included messages such as, "Messi: You’re a legend. Thank you for bringing joy to our hearts. A whole country loves you!"
Messi is expected to rejoin Inter Miami in late July or early August for the ongoing Major League Soccer season. Meanwhile, fifteen members of Argentina’s 26-player World Cup roster, led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, landed at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza Airport on Monday via a chartered flight.
The squad’s arrival followed their 1–0 extra-time loss to Spain in the World Cup final, which was decided by a goal from Ferran Torres. This match marked Messi’s third appearance in a World Cup final, having previously reached the final in 2014 and 2022. He concluded the tournament as the runner-up for the Golden Boot, scoring eight goals, two behind Kylian Mbappé of France. Mbappé now holds the record for the most World Cup goals with 22, surpassing Messi by one.