Messi returns to Argentina for rest after World Cup final loss to Spain

Messi returns to Argentina for rest after World Cup final loss to Spain 1 of 3 | An Argentina fan wrapped in a flag bearing an image of Lionel Messi gathers outside the Argentine Football Association headquarters while waiting for the national team to arrive in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Monday, July 20, 2026, following its World Cup final loss to Spain. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) 2 of 3 | Argentina fans hold a photo of Lionel Messi as they gather outside the Argentine Football Association headquarters and wait for the national team to arrive in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Monday, July 20, 2026, following its World Cup final loss to Spain. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello) 3 of 3 | Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) reacts after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) 1 of 3 | An Argentina fan wrapped in a flag bearing an image of Lionel Messi gathers outside the Argentine Football Association headquarters while waiting for the national team to arrive in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Monday, July 20, 2026, following its World Cup final loss to Spain. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) 1 of 3 An Argentina fan wrapped in a flag bearing an image of Lionel Messi gathers outside the Argentine Football Association headquarters while waiting for the national team to arrive in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Monday, July 20, 2026, following its World Cup final loss to Spain. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 3 | Argentina fans hold a photo of Lionel Messi as they gather outside the Argentine Football Association headquarters and wait for the national team to arrive in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Monday, July 20, 2026, following its World Cup final loss to Spain. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello) 2 of 3 Argentina fans hold a photo of Lionel Messi as they gather outside the Argentine Football Association headquarters and wait for the national team to arrive in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Monday, July 20, 2026, following its World Cup final loss to Spain. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 3 | Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) reacts after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) 3 of 3 Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) reacts after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] ROSARIO, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi arrived back in Argentina on Tuesday for a few days of rest following the World Cup final loss to Spain.Messi’s private jet landed near his hometown of Rosario from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 6:27 a.m. Although many fans were waiting with signs and flags, he did not make a public appearance. “The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal,” he posted on his Instagram account. “I cherish all the good moments, memories that will last forever — and the support of an entire nation which, combined with this group’s hard work and effort, propelled us once again into the ranks of the world’s best.”Supporters only caught a brief glimpse of the SUV that met Messi on the tarmac to transport him and his family to the private neighborhood of Funes, roughly 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Buenos Aires.The Argentina captain reportedly traveled with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children, all of whom had accompanied him throughout the tournament in North America. Waiting for him in Rosario was his 68-year-old father, Jorge, whose ongoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness had been revealed by the family during the World Cup. Fans had gathered at the airport as early as 3:30 a.m. hoping to catch a sight of the star. Among them were two young girls in Albiceleste jerseys holding welcome signs, one of which read: “Messi: You’re a legend. Thank you for bringing joy to our hearts. A whole country loves you!” 1 MIN READ 1 MIN READ 1 MIN READ Messi is expected to rejoin Inter Miami in late July or early August for the ongoing MLS season Fifteen members of Argentina’s 26-player World Cup roster, led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, landed at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza Airport on Monday on a chartered flight.The squad’s arrival followed Sunday’s 1–0 extra-time loss to Spain in the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, decided by a Ferran Torres goal.“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,” Messi added. “I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.” The match marked Messi’s third World Cup final appearance, following 2014 and 2022. He ended the tournament as the runner-up for the Golden Boot with eight goals, two behind France’s Kylian Mbappé.Mbappé tops the all-time World Cup goal-scoring chart with 22, one more than Messi.