Lionel Messi has quietly returned to his hometown of Rosario following Argentina’s painful World Cup 2026 final defeat to Spain, choosing not to fly back to Buenos Aires with his team-mates.
The 39-year-old captain landed in Argentina on Tuesday morning on a private jet from the United States, still deeply affected by coming agonisingly close to retaining the world title, according to Argentine daily Ole.
Early-morning arrival away from capital
Messi’s plane touched down at Islas Malvinas International Airport in Fisherton, on the outskirts of Rosario, at 06:26 local time after departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Instead of joining the rest of the national squad and staff on their chartered return to Buenos Aires, the Inter Miami forward completed immigration procedures and then left the airport in a small convoy of vehicles.
He travelled directly to his home in the nearby town of Funes, where he is expected to spend several days in seclusion with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
The stay is intended as a brief period of rest and recovery after more than 50 days away from home during Argentina’s World Cup campaign.
Emotional impact of Spain defeat
Despite his age and his status as one of the most decorated players in football history, Messi is described as being “deeply saddened” by the defeat to Spain in the 2026 final.
Ole reports that the loss remains fresh and painful for the Argentina captain, who had hoped to lead his country to back-to-back World Cup titles following their triumph at Qatar 2022.
Argentina came close to defending their crown, but fell short against a Spanish side that denied Messi a second consecutive world title and what many had speculated might be a final crowning achievement in his international career.
Time with family in Miami before return home
Following the final, Messi initially chose not to travel directly back to Argentina.
Instead, he spent some time at his home in Miami with his family and close friends, seeking a period of calm after what the report describes as an intense physical and emotional effort throughout the tournament.
Only after that brief stay in the United States did he decide to continue on to Rosario, bypassing any large public reception or official ceremonies in the capital.
Inter Miami duties on hold
Messi is expected to return soon to his club commitments with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
The Florida side are preparing for an upcoming league match against Chicago Fire, but the Argentina captain will not take part in that fixture, the report says.
His international team-mate and Inter Miami colleague Rodrigo De Paul is also not expected to feature in the game.
While no official statement has been issued by Messi or the Argentine football authorities about his immediate plans with the national team following the World Cup, his decision to head straight to Rosario underlines a desire for privacy, reflection and family time in the immediate aftermath of a crushing defeat.
For now, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is back where his story began – in Rosario – as he seeks to recover both physically and mentally before returning to the demands of club football in the United States.
