'the Pain Is Immense.' Lionel Messi Returns To Argentina To Recover After World Cup Loss

ROSARIO, Argentina — Lionel Messi arrived backmost successful Argentina connected Tuesday for a fewer days of remainder pursuing nan World Cup last nonaccomplishment to Spain.

Messi’s backstage pitchy landed adjacent his hometown of Rosario from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., astatine 6:27 a.m. Although galore fans were waiting pinch signs and flags, he did not make a nationalist appearance.

“The symptom is immense, and this coiled will return clip to heal,” he posted connected his Instagram account. “I cherish each nan bully moments, memories that will past everlastingly — and nan support of an full federation which, mixed pinch this group’s difficult activity and effort, propelled america erstwhile again into nan ranks of nan world’s best.”

Supporters only caught a little glimpse of nan SUV that met Messi connected nan tarmac to carrier him and his family to nan backstage vicinity of Funes, astir 185 miles northbound of Buenos Aires.

The Argentina skipper reportedly traveled pinch his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their 3 children, each of whom had accompanied him passim nan tourney successful North America. Waiting for him successful Rosario was his 68-year-old father, Jorge, whose ongoing aesculapian curen for an undisclosed unwellness had been revealed by nan family during nan World Cup.

Fans had gathered astatine nan airdrome arsenic early arsenic 3:30 a.m. hoping to drawback a show of nan star. Among them were 2 young girls successful La Albiceleste jerseys holding invited signs, 1 of which read: “Messi: You’re a legend. Thank you for bringing joyousness to our hearts. A full state loves you!”

Messi is expected to rejoin Inter Miami successful precocious July aliases early August for nan ongoing MLS season.

Fifteen members of Argentina’s 26-player World Cup roster, led by caput coach Lionel Scaloni, landed astatine Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza Airport connected Monday connected a chartered flight.

The squad’s presence followed Sunday’s 1–0 extra-time nonaccomplishment to Spain successful nan World Cup last successful East Rutherford, N.J., decided by a Ferran Torres goal.

“It is difficult to afloat admit our accomplishment correct now, but this group reached 2 consecutive World Cup finals. Thank you each from nan bottommost of my bosom for each greeting and message,” Messi added. “I besides want to congratulate Spain connected winning nan championship.”

The lucifer marked Messi’s 3rd World Cup last appearance, pursuing 2014 and 2022. He ended nan tourney arsenic nan runner-up for nan Golden Boot pinch 8 goals, 2 down France’s Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappé tops nan all-time World Cup goal-scoring floor plan pinch 22, 1 much than Messi.

Álvarez writes for nan Associated Press.