Thousands of Argentinians lined up on Monday, July 20th, 2026, to welcome their national football team returning from the World Cup final in the United States. The team arrived without iconic captain Lionel Messi and several other players, as confirmed by the Argentinian Football Association (AFA), which stated some squad members did not take the flight. Messi was notably absent from images broadcast on local television showing players disembarking.

Coach Lionel Scaloni and the rest of the squad were greeted with a red carpet and a military band outside the aircraft. Despite cold and rainy weather, fans gathered near the AFA training complex by Ezeiza international airport, waving flags and holding blue-and-white umbrellas.

The homecoming was bittersweet, coming four years after millions celebrated Argentina's 2022 World Cup victory. Many supporters still expressed gratitude for the team's efforts. Marga Ledezma, 36, thanked Messi for “all the years he made us happy” and urged him not to retire from the national team. Leonardo Barrientos, 36, working in a textile workshop, said, “I would say thank you to Messi, and that he gave it his all.” Maria Ortiz, 28, who attended with her two-year-old, acknowledged that Spain “deserved the win” but was “happy for what the team gave us.”

Following the loss, thousands of Argentinians gathered at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires on Sunday evening, July 19th, celebrating with fireworks and showing appreciation for their team despite the heartbreak.

Sources