Messi skips seleccin ftbol argentina flight home after final
Lionel Messi did not travel back to Argentina with his seleccin ftbol argentina teammates after Spain won the 2026 World Cup final. The captain flew from New York to Miami with Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul to rejoin club duties, while others in the squad landed at Ezeiza for a protocol reception and no national holiday this week.
Key Takeaways
- Messi skipped the group flight to Buenos Aires and flew New York to Miami with Rodrigo De Paul.
- La Nación lists several other players staying off the Ezeiza return; part of the squad and staff are arriving for a protocol welcome.
- President Javier Milei floated a holiday tied to any celebration day; reports say no full-squad festivities and no holiday this week.
- Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium; Scaloni said he needs to think about his future.
Why did Messi skip the seleccin ftbol argentina group flight?
According to La Nación, Lionel Messi left New York for Miami with Rodrigo De Paul rather than boarding the squad plane home.
Both are due to rejoin Inter Miami in MLS after a few days of rest. Inter Miami faces Chicago Fire next Wednesday. ESPN also reported Messi would pick up his family in Miami and then go on to Rosario, bypassing Buenos Aires.
AFA had already noted that some players would leave the United States for club duty or rest instead of returning with the full group.
Who from the squad is flying home to Argentina?
La Nación reported the New York flight bound for Ezeiza carries Emiliano Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Lautaro Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Giuliano Simeone, Nicolás Otamendi, and the coaching staff.
Also not on that return, per the same report: Gerónimo Rulli, Nicolás Paz, Marcos Senesi, Facundo Medina, Valentín Barco, Nicolás González, José Manuel López, and Juan Musso.
ESPN said arrival was expected around 5 p.m., with the only send-off being the bus ride from Ezeiza airport to the AFA complex.
Will there be a national holiday for the return?
President Javier Milei posted that whichever day players and staff choose to celebrate would be declared a national holiday. La Nación later reported the government walked that back and planned a protocol reception at Ezeiza around 6 p.m. without the Executive branch present.
ESPN reported there will be no full-squad celebration and therefore no holiday this week. Granaderos and ceremonial units were expected on the runway in a head-of-state-style welcome before players head to the AFA grounds and then their own destinations.
What did Scaloni say after losing the World Cup final?
Spain won 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium on a Ferran Torres goal. Argentina played much of the decisive stretch with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off.
Coach Lionel Scaloni thanked AFA president Claudio Tapia and said he felt the need to think about whether he could do something so big again. Rest after a long tournament is central to athlete recovery—and to how teams manage longevity after peak campaigns. For more recovery-focused reading, browse BlasterPost Longevity & Biohacking.