ROSARIO, Argentina (AP) 鈥� arrived back in Argentina on Tuesday for a few days of rest following the World Cup final loss to .
Messi’s private jet landed near his hometown of Rosario from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 6:27 a.m. Although many fans were waiting with signs and flags, he did not make a public appearance.
鈥淭he pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal,鈥� he posted on his Instagram account. 鈥淚 cherish all the good moments, memories that will last forever 鈥� and the support of an entire nation which, combined with this group鈥檚 hard work and effort, propelled us once again into the ranks of the world鈥檚 best.鈥�
Supporters only caught a brief glimpse of the SUV that met Messi on the tarmac to transport him and his family to the private neighborhood of Funes, roughly 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Buenos Aires.
The Argentina captain reportedly traveled with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children, all of whom had accompanied him throughout the tournament in North America. Waiting for him in Rosario was his 68-year-old father, Jorge, whose ongoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness had been revealed by the family during the World Cup.
Fans had gathered at the airport as early as 3:30 a.m. hoping to catch a sight of the star. Among them were two young girls in Albiceleste jerseys holding welcome signs, one of which read: 鈥淢essi: You鈥檙e a legend. Thank you for bringing joy to our hearts. A whole country loves you!鈥�
Messi is expected to rejoin Inter Miami in late July or early August for the ongoing MLS season
Fifteen members of Argentina鈥檚 26-player World Cup roster, led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, landed at Buenos Aires鈥� Ezeiza Airport on Monday on a chartered flight.
The squad鈥檚 arrival followed Sunday鈥檚 1鈥�0 extra-time loss to Spain in the in East Rutherford, New Jersey, decided by a Ferran Torres goal.
Scaloni鈥檚 arrival at his family home in Pujato 鈥� a small town in the province of Santa Fe 鈥� on Tuesday and it was quite an event as his neighbors gathered to welcome him.
After a few minutes, he stepped out of the house and began signing Argentina jerseys handed to him by the crowd, as well as posing for photos.
鈥淲e didn鈥檛 win, but we can be satisfied. It hurts not to have been able to bring that joy,鈥� Scaloni told reporters. 鈥淲e lost because they were better … perhaps we were running on fumes. It鈥檚 good to acknowledge that 鈥� it will make us better.鈥�
Scaloni said he would honor his contract with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) through December 31, though he stopped short of confirming whether he would continue beyond that date. 鈥淚鈥檓 here until December, guys … let鈥檚 not make a fuss,鈥� he added.
Sunday marked Messi鈥檚 third World Cup final appearance, following 2014 and 2022. He ended the tournament as the runner-up for the Golden Boot with eight goals, two behind France’s Kylian Mbapp茅.
Mbapp茅 tops the all-time World Cup goal-scoring chart with 22, one more than Messi.
鈥淚t is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message,鈥� Messi added. 鈥淚 also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.鈥�
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