ROSARIO, Argentina (AP) — lionel messi After losing in the World Cup final, he returned to Argentina on Tuesday for a few days of rest. Spain.
Messi’s private jet landed near his hometown of Rosario from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 6:27 a.m. Many fans were waiting with signs and flags, but Messi did not appear in public.
Supporters had only a fleeting glimpse of the SUV that met Messi on the tarmac to transport him and his family to Funes, a private area about 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Buenos Aires.
The Argentina captain traveled with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo and their three children, all of whom reportedly accompanied him throughout the tournament in North America. Waiting for him in Rosario was his 68-year-old father, Jorge. During the World Cup, it was revealed that he was undergoing treatment for an illness that his family had not disclosed publicly.
Fans flocked to the airport as early as 3:30 a.m. to catch a glimpse of the star. Inside, two girls wearing Albiceleste jerseys held up welcome placards, one of which read: “Messi: You are a legend. Thank you for bringing joy to our hearts. The whole country loves you!”
Messi is expected to return to Inter Miami in late July or early August for the ongoing MLS season.
Fifteen of Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man Argentina World Cup squad arrived at Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza airport on Monday on a chartered flight.
The team’s arrival follows Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Spain in extra time. world cup finals The game in East Rutherford, New Jersey was decided by a goal from Ferran Torres.
This match was Messi’s third appearance in the World Cup finals after 2014 and 2022. Messi finished the tournament as Golden Boot runner-up with eight goals, two behind France’s Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappe leads the World Cup scoring list with 22 goals, one more than Messi.
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