21.7.2026
Lionel Messi returned to his hometown of Rosario on Tuesday for a brief period of rest following Argentina’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with hundreds of supporters gathering before dawn in the hope of catching a glimpse of their captain.
Messi’s private jet touched down near Rosario at 6:27 a.m. local time after flying from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, just two days after Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in New Jersey.
Writing to his supporters in the aftermath of the defeat, Messi described the loss as deeply painful but urged his compatriots to recognise what the team had achieved.
“The pain is very deep and it will take a while for this wound to heal. But I also hold on to all the good,” the Argentine captain wrote.
“The matches we turned around by giving it our all, which will remain in our memories forever; the support of an entire country that, along with the work and effort of this group, led us to be, once again, among the best in the world.”
The match was decided in the 106th minute of extra time when substitute Ferran Torres converted a volley to break Argentine resistance.
Spain’s defensive organisation throughout the 120-minute contest limited Messi to just 54 touches and a single shot on goal, according to Forbes. Agency reports
Lionel Messi.