Lionel Messi flew back to Argentina separately from his international teammates after their 1-0 World Cup final loss to Spain. Most of La Albiceleste's squad embarked on an open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires after landing, but 11 players, including Messi, did not make an appearance.
World Cup final marred by ill discipline
Argentina's dreams of back-to-back World Cup titles were crushed by Luis de la Fuente's Spain on Sunday evening as La Roja lifted the trophy for just the second time in their history. Yet, the match itself was overshadowed by ill discipline.
Some of Lionel Scaloni's squad were branded disgraceful on the back of their performance, during which Argentina failed to register a shot on target until extra time and Enzo Fernandez was sent off for two egregious bookable offences.
Post-match incidents and separate travel
After the final whistle blew, scenes got even uglier, with Leandro Paredes seemingly throwing Spain's Gavi to the floor and Nahuel Molina appearing to punch opposition skipper Rodri. Argentina's players have since flown home, but 11 stars did not join the bulk of the squad in Buenos Aires and Messi embarked on a separate journey to his homeland altogether.
In the wake of their heavily criticised appearance in the final, manager Scaloni and 15 of his players landed at Ezeiza International Airport to a hero's welcome on Monday evening, regardless of the 1-0 defeat they had suffered.
After staff disembarked the plane, Argentine Football Association president Chiqui Tapia, manager Scaloni and veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi led the group across a red carpet before they boarded an open-top bus. This vehicle travelled along major streets towards the AFA training centre in Buenos Aires. The 15 players will soon begin their holidays from the AFA base.
Messi's separate journey home
But 11 stars did not travel with their teammates. Rodrigo De Paul, Cristian Romero, Julian Alvarez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Nico Paz, Giuliano Simeone, Lautaro Martinez, Molina and Fernandez remained in the United States. It is likely they will embark on vacations from the US. Messi was the 11th player not to travel, though he did fly to Argentina. At 6:28am local time on Tuesday, he arrived at Islas Malvinas International Airport before heading to his home in Rosario.
After a stopover in Miami, Messi landed in his home country from New York and will rest with his family in the gated community of Kentucky in Funes. He too was greeted by hordes of fans upon arrival, but opted not to join his teammates in Buenos Aires. Messi will jet off to Miami to join his Inter Miami peers after enjoying sufficient rest in Rosario. His parents were unable to attend the World Cup due to his father Jorge's health issues.
