Watch: Lionel Messi returns home to Rosario; fans wait hours for a glimpse
Lionel Messi returned to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, following the national team's loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Hundreds of fans gathered to welcome him, though he made no public appearance.
Why it matters
Messi remains a global cultural icon, and his movements generate significant public interest and media coverage in Argentina and beyond.
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.Although fans lined the airport carrying Argentine flags and welcome banners, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner did not make a public appearance.
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