A bus carrying Argentina's national soccer team drives towards the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on Monday, after returning from the United States following its defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. | AFP-JIJI
By Sofia Barragan
AFP-JIJI
Jul 21, 2026
Ezeiza, Argentina – Thousands of fans braved the cold and rain Monday to give a rapturous welcome to the Argentine soccer squad, which landed back home without star Lionel Messi after its World Cup final loss to Spain.
It was not the homecoming Argentines had hoped for, four years after millions celebrated their team’s tournament victory in 2022, but fresh scenes of joyful chaos filled the street as they danced, sang and set off fireworks to thank the players.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said earlier that some squad members would not be on the flight, and iconic team captain Messi was not seen descending from the aircraft in images broadcast on local television.
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