Rosario welcomes Lionel Messi home after World Cup final loss

By Arjun Sharma — 21 July 2026 — 4 min read

Lionel Messi returned to his hometown of Rosario on Tuesday for a period of rest following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Hundreds of supporters gathered before dawn, hoping to catch a glimpse of the captain.

Messi’s private jet landed near Rosario at 6:27 a.m. local time, having flown from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This arrival came just two days after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in New Jersey. Despite fans lining the airport with Argentine flags and welcome banners, the footballer did not make a public appearance. Supporters instead caught a brief view of the SUV that collected Messi, his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons before it headed to the family’s residence in the private neighbourhood of Funes, located approximately 300 kilometres north of Buenos Aires.

According to reports, many supporters had arrived as early as 3:30 a.m. local time, eager to welcome home the player who inspired Argentina’s run to a second consecutive World Cup final. Messi is also expected to reunite with his father, Jorge Messi, who has been undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness during the World Cup.

Messi’s quiet return and team’s reception

Following the national team’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, Lionel Messi is now back in Argentina. The Albiceleste captain opted for a low-key return to his hometown, avoiding public appearances. This contrasted with the rest of the Argentine squad, which arrived in Buenos Aires on Monday and was greeted by fans at Ezeiza Airport and along the route to the AFA headquarters.

Messi remained in the United States and took a private flight accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children. The flight landed at Rosario’s Islas Malvinas International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning, around 5:30 a.m. (ET). Without making any statements, but showing gestures of gratitude toward the fans who had gathered and the airport staff, he quickly left the airport in an SUV with tinted windows after disembarking from the plane.

Reports indicate that Messi headed to his home in Funes, where he will spend a few days resting with his family before resuming his athletic commitments. His return came just hours after the Argentine national team landed at Ezeiza and was greeted by thousands of Albiceleste fans who, with signs, flags, and chants, thanked the squad for their performance in the tournament.

Reflecting on the tournament and future

After failing to defend the title won in Qatar 2022, Messi concluded another outstanding World Cup performance, reaching his third World Cup final in 12 years. Even at 39, the Argentine captain was once again the Albiceleste’s standout player, delivering an outstanding tournament with eight goals and four assists. These statistics cemented his status as one of the most influential players of the 2026 World Cup despite the loss to Spain in the final, and as the second-highest scorer in the tournament’s history, behind Kylian Mbappé.

Messi’s return follows an emotional message he shared, reflecting on Argentina’s campaign and congratulating Spain on lifting the trophy. He wrote on Instagram, “The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal. But I also hold on to all the good… The matches we turned around, giving our all… this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”

The Argentina captain also expressed gratitude to supporters for standing by the team throughout the tournament, adding, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and every message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country… I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.”

The Argentine team’s World Cup journey concluded when Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Spain after extra time and their second world title. Despite the disappointment, thousands of supporters gathered at Buenos Aires’ iconic Obelisk after the final, waving flags, singing, and celebrating a team that came within one win of retaining the World Cup. Meanwhile, uncertainty about the future of several key players, including Messi, who has not yet confirmed whether he will continue to wear the blue-and-white jersey, continues to be a topic of discussion. For Messi, the visit to Rosario offers a chance to recharge before he returns to club duties with Inter Miami, where he is expected to resume the MLS season in late July or early August.

Source: marca.com

Arjun Sharma

Sports Reporter