Argentina captain Lionel Messi and nine other players did not return to their home country with the main delegation, according to TyC Sports.
Lionel Messi. Cover image © X / Selección Argentina in Eng
The core group departed for Argentina immediately after losing the 2026 World Cup final. A plane carrying part of the delegation flew from New York to Buenos Aires just hours after the final whistle. Only 16 footballers made it back to the national capital.
Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, chose to remain in the United States. His club teammate Rodrigo De Paul made the same choice. Also staying behind were Enzo Fernández, Cristian Romero, Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás Paz, Julián Álvarez, Nahuel Molina, Gerónimo Rulli, and Juan Musso.
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