ROSARIO, Argentina — Argentina’s defeated football hero Lionel Messi returned to his hometown on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) after a painful World Cup final loss.
The national squad captain landed at Rosario airport on a private jet at around 6:30 a.m. (0930 GMT) along with his wife and three children, a local government source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity.
A video published by sports outlet ESPN showed a gray SUV carrying Messi entering a gated community in the city of Funes.
The house he owns in this suburban area is where he usually stays during visits to his native Rosario in central Argentina.
Most national squad players and their coach Lionel Scaloni arrived in Buenos Aires on Monday night, where thousands of fans enveloped them in cheers, chants, flags and tears.
Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain, 1-0, with soccer idol Messi breaking down in tears after Sunday’s defeat.
The 39-year-old star scored eight goals during this year’s tournament.
Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez insists Argentina represented themselves in the “best possible way” at the World Cup despite the Chelsea midfielder’s red card in the final and a host of ugly incidents in their controversial campaign.
Fernandez was sent off for a second booking after clattering into Spain’s Pau Cubarsi in the closing stages of normal time in Sunday’s 1-0 loss.
The 25-year-old’s premature exit was the latest in a series of clashes to cast a shadow over Argentina’s run to the final.
Leandro Paredes appeared to throw punches at members of the Spain squad as they celebrated their victory, with FIFA subsequently launching an investigation into potential disciplinary breaches following the unsavory post-match scenes.
They also turned their backs on Spain when the Spanish received their medals and the trophy.
Argentina’s players also caused controversy by displaying a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Falklands are Argentine) after beating England in the semifinals.
Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic in 1982.
But Britain regained the archipelago in a brief war after then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher dispatched a naval taskforce.
Fernandez took to Instagram to defend his country for their World Cup performance, but made no mention of his sending off in his message to supporters.
“As time goes by, you realize there is something much bigger than just a result,” he said.
“For years, this group has represented the team in the best possible way. It teaches that competing isn’t just about winning; it’s about giving your all for the jersey and never giving up.”
Fernandez was a member of the Argentina team that beat France to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But Fernandez’s hopes of a second successive title were shattered after his dismissal as Ferran Torres’ 106th-minute strike settled a dour final marred by Argentina’s defensive tactics.
“It has been a privilege to be part of a group that always stepped up, competed at the highest level and defended these colors with pride, humility and commitment,” he said.
