Argentina, minus Messi, return home after World Cup final heartbreak
Thousands of Argentinian fans gathered to welcome their national football team home following their loss to Spain in the World Cup final. Notably, captain Lionel Messi and several other players did not return with the main squad.
Why it matters
The event highlights the cultural significance of football in Argentina and the public reaction to the team's performance on the global stage.
Thousands wait to greet the team, who return without captain Messi and a few other players after the World Cup.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A fan holds a portrait of Lionel Messi near the Argentinian Football Association training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on July 20, 2026, while waiting for the arrival of Argentina's team from the United States [Luis Robayo/AFP] By AFP Published On 20 Jul 2026 20 Jul 2026 Thousands of Argentinians lined up to welcome their football team, who returned without iconic captain Lionel Messi and a few other players after their loss to Spain in the World Cup final in the United States.
The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) said on Monday that some squad members would not be on the flight, and Messi was not seen descending from the aircraft in images broadcast on local television.
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