Just two days after Argentina’s World Cup dream came to a heartbreaking end, Lionel Messi quietly returned to his hometown of Rosario on Tuesday, bringing an emotional close to a tournament in which he once again carried his nation’s hopes.
The Argentina captain arrived at Rosario Airport aboard a private jet at around 6:30 a.m. (09:30 GMT), accompanied by his wife and three children, according to a local government source who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.
Video shared by sports broadcaster ESPN showed a grey SUV carrying Messi from the airport to his home in the gated community of Funes, where he usually stays during visits to his native Rosario.
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Messi’s return came a day after Argentina suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final. The 39-year-old forward was visibly emotional after the final whistle, with images of him in tears capturing the heartbreak of Argentina’s defeat.
Despite the loss, Messi finished the tournament with eight goals, playing a pivotal role in Argentina’s run to the final and once again leading the team with his experience and leadership.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Argentine squad, led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, arrived in Buenos Aires on Monday night, where thousands of supporters welcomed the players with cheers, flags and chants in recognition of their efforts throughout the tournament.
Messi’s arrival in Rosario marks the beginning of a period of reflection for Argentina after another memorable World Cup campaign, with supporters continuing to pay tribute to one of the country’s greatest football icons despite the disappointment of missing out on the title.
