Lionel Messi chose not to accompany the Argentina squad to Buenos Aires for their open-top bus parade following the heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Instead, the iconic forward made a private trip to his hometown, Rosario, seeking solitude to process the emotional impact of the defeat.

A quiet homecoming in Rosario

As reported by the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Messi arrived at Rosario’s international airport early on Tuesday morning. Having travelled on a private flight from Miami, the 39-year-old was discreetly driven to his family home in the exclusive Fisherton area in a vehicle with tinted windows. He intentionally avoided interaction with fans who had gathered in the early hours to welcome him.

In contrast, most of the Argentina squad returned to Buenos Aires on Monday afternoon. They were received by jubilant supporters near Ezeiza International Airport, with thousands following their open-top bus procession to the national team’s training complex, even after the narrow defeat to Spain in New Jersey.

Coping with the heartbreak

Messi’s decision to miss the celebrations reflects the deep emotional toll of the loss at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The forward, who was visibly emotional at the final whistle, shared his thoughts on Instagram the following day. “The pain is very great and it is going to be hard for this wound to heal,” he wrote.

Despite the sorrow, he encouraged supporters to remember the positive moments: “With the good things: with the matches that we turned around giving everything and that will remain forever in memory, with the support of an entire country that, together with the work and effort of this group, led us to be, once again, among the best in the world.”

An uncertain international future

Following the final, speculation has intensified over whether Messi will continue his international career. The forward has not yet announced if he plans to extend his time with the national team under coach Lionel Scaloni. Many believe that the 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marks his sixth and final appearance at the tournament.

Messi’s achievements with Argentina in recent years have been remarkable, including Copa America triumphs in 2021 and 2024, the Finalissima victory in 2022, and the World Cup title in Qatar. Whether he opts to continue his legendary run with the national side remains to be seen. For now, his focus is on spending time with his family away from the public gaze.

What lies ahead for Messi?

Messi is expected to remain in Rosario for a few days before returning to club duties with Inter Miami. The Major League Soccer side have upcoming fixtures in the United States, and he will soon resume training with them. On the international front, Argentina have two friendly windows scheduled later in 2026, which could potentially serve as a fitting farewell if Messi chooses to bring his illustrious international journey to a close.