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Lionel Messi, captain of the World Cup runner-up Argentine national team, arrived on Tuesday in his hometown of Rosario to spend a few days of rest after playing in the final against Spain. Meanwhile, Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni arrived in Pujato, the town where he grew up, amidst numerous displays of affection.
The private plane that transported Messi arrived from Fort Lauderdale at 6:27 a.m. at the Fisherton terminal. Many fans were waiting for him with signs and flags, although the player did not make an appearance. Fans could only observe the passing of the van that waited for him on the runway to take him to a residential neighborhood in Funes, a town near Rosario, a city located about 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires.
The footballer is believed to have traveled with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children, who accompanied him throughout the tournament in North America. Waiting for him in Rosario is his father, 68-year-old Jorge Messi, who, as his family revealed during the World Cup, is under medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.
Some fans went to the airport at 3:30 a.m. in an attempt to see the star. Two girls dressed in the light blue and white jersey displayed welcome signs. One of them said: “Messi: you are a legend. Thank you for bringing joy to our hearts. A whole country loves you!”
“The pain is very great and this wound will take time to heal,” the star posted on his Instagram account. “But I also hold onto all the good things... With the matches we turned around by giving everything, which will remain in memory forever, with the support of an entire country that, along with the work and effort of this group, led us to once again be among the best in the world.”
Fifteen of the 26 members of the Argentine squad, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, arrived on Monday on a chartered flight at Ezeiza International Airport, which serves Buenos Aires.
Scaloni's arrival at his home in Pujato, a small town located in the province of Santa Fe, was quite an event. Neighbors crowded the surroundings to welcome him.
Shortly after, the coach—who usually resides in Mallorca, Spain—left the house where he reunited with some of his family members and began signing Argentine national team jerseys that people handed him and taking photos with his admirers.
“We weren't winners, but it's enough to be satisfied. It hurts not to have been able to give them the joy,” Scaloni told reporters. “We lost because they were better... perhaps we arrived just right; it's good to recognize that; that will make us better.”
Regarding the chants of people saying “Lio don't go!”, Scaloni confirmed that he will fulfill the contract that binds him to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) until December 31, although he avoided confirming whether he would continue after that date. “I'm here until December, guys... let's not make noise.”
Meanwhile, Messi has not publicly commented on his continuity with his country's national team. La Albiceleste is scheduled to play again between September 21 and October 6 in a window designated for friendlies by FIFA.
The former Barcelona player is expected to spend a few days of rest in his hometown. His team, Inter Miami, is currently competing in the U.S. MLS. He is expected to join Inter at the end of this month or the beginning of August.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain on Sunday in the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Spanish goal was scored by Ferran Torres in extra time.
Messi reached a milestone by reaching his third World Cup final as a starter, after being part of the Argentine squad in 2014 against Germany and in 2022 against France. In addition, he finished second in the scoring table of this last edition with eight goals, behind Kylian Mbappé's 10.
Mbappé leads the all-time World Cup scoring table with 22 goals. In second place is the Argentine number 10 with 21.
[Publicidad]