Argentina squad return home without Messi after World Cup final defeat

Airport officials said the team arrived back to a big reception, with thousands of fans waiting near the Argentine FA headquarters despite the cold and the rain. But Messi was not seen getting off the plane in footage shown on local television, after the AFA had already said some members of the squad would not be on the flight.

Lionel Scaloni and the rest of the team were welcomed on a red carpet beside the aircraft, with a military band also part of the reception. It was not the homecoming people had imagined. 

Four years ago, Argentina returned as world champions and the streets were flooded with celebration after the 2022 title. This time the team came back after losing 1-0 to Spain in the final, but many supporters still turned out to thank the players for another deep World Cup run.

Outside the AFA complex near the airport, fans stood with umbrellas and blue-and-white flags, waiting for the team in poor weather. Some were clearly there for Messi as much as the squad.

"Argentinians will celebrate anyway," said 36-year-old Marga Ledezma, who thanked Messi for "all the years he brought us joy" and urged him not to retire from international football.

The final itself drew criticism abroad because of the number of fouls and the edge in Argentina's play, but some supporters pushed back on that idea.

"I think they criticise us because we know what suffering feels like, because we get up, we fall again, and then we keep going," Ledezma said.

Others focused less on the final and more on the run itself. For some fans, the semi-final win over England meant a lot emotionally because of the long history between the 2 countries over the Falkland Islands. Others simply saw this group as one that had given the country another month of unity.

"This team brought all of us together, and we should be grateful for that. We will always be with them, in rain or sun. I want to thank Messi for giving everything," said textile worker Leonardo Barrientos, also 36.

Maria Ortiz, 28, came with her 2-year-old daughter and said Spain "deserved the win", but added that she was still happy with what Argentina had given. Messi, for his part, posted on Instagram on Monday.

"The pain is enormous and this wound will take a long time to heal," he wrote. "But I will also keep all the beautiful memories. Today it is hard to properly judge what we achieved, but this team reached 2 straight World Cup finals."

President Javier Milei later said a national holiday would be set, in agreement with the team, to mark Argentina's World Cup campaign, although no date has yet been announced.

There was emotion elsewhere in Buenos Aires too. Thousands gathered at the Obelisk on Sunday night after the final, and while many stayed to sing and wave flags for hours, there were also brief clashes later on. Police used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to break up parts of the crowd, and police sources said 15 people were arrested.

So the team came back without the trophy. Without Messi on the plane, the mood felt even heavier.