Lionel Messi returned to Argentina on Tuesday for a brief period of rest following his team’s defeat in the World Cup final against Spain. His private jet landed near his hometown of Rosario early in the morning at 6:27 a.m., arriving from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Despite a crowd of fans gathered at the airport waving signs and flags, Messi did not make a public appearance.

He was quickly transported by SUV from the tarmac to the private neighborhood of Funes, located approximately 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires. Messi was accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three children, who had joined him during the tournament held in North America. Waiting for the family in Rosario was Messi’s father, Jorge, 68, who has been undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed condition, information revealed by the family amid the World Cup.

Fans had begun assembling at the airport as early as 3:30 a.m., hoping to catch a glimpse of the soccer star. Among the crowd were young supporters dressed in Argentina’s Albiceleste jerseys, holding banners that expressed gratitude for Messi’s contributions to the national team, including one that read, “Messi: You’re a legend. Thank you for bringing joy to our hearts. A whole country loves you!”

Messi is slated to rejoin his club, Inter Miami, later this month as the Major League Soccer season continues. Fifteen members of the 26-player Argentine World Cup squad, along with head coach Lionel Scaloni, arrived in Buenos Aires on Monday via a chartered flight after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Spain.

The final, held in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was decided in extra time by a goal from Spain’s Ferran Torres. This match marked Messi’s third appearance in a World Cup final, following experiences in 2014 and 2022. He concluded the tournament as the runner-up for the Golden Boot, scoring eight goals—two fewer than France’s Kylian Mbappé, who now holds the record as the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer with 22, one more than Messi.