Lionel Messi returned to his hometown after Argentina's heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, bringing an emotional end to what was another memorable campaign with the national team.
The Argentine captain arrived in the city of Funes at around 6:30 a.m. local time (0930 GMT) alongside his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children.
A report from AFP cited a local government source who spoke on condition of obscurity, Messi quietly made his way back home following the team's return from the United States.
A video shared by sports broadcaster ESPN showed a gray SUV carrying the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner entering a gated residential community in Funes, where he is expected to spend time with his family after the exhausting World Cup campaign.
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The footage, which has quickly gone viral across social media, captured Messi's arrival in the early hours of the morning. Several supporters had gathered outside hoping to catch a glimpse of their football icon, with many carrying jerseys and waiting for photographs or autographs.
However, the 39-year-old did not stop for a public appearance and instead headed directly into the private residential complex.
The quiet arrival reflected the mood surrounding Argentina after Sunday's painful World Cup final defeat to Spain, a match that denied Messi the chance to end his international career with another world title.
Messi Shares Emotional Message After World Cup Final Loss
Shortly after the defeat, Messi broke his silence with an emotional message on social media, thanking his teammates and the Argentine supporters while admitting that the loss would take time to overcome.
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"The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal. But I also hold onto all the good things... The matches we turned around by giving it our all, moments that will remain in our memories forever, and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group's hard work and effort, brought us back among the world's elite once again."
Messi finished the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of Argentina's standout performers, helping guide the defending champions to another final. Although they fell short against a dominant Spain side, the tournament added another memorable chapter to the captain's extraordinary international career.