Argentina squad returns to Buenos Aires crowds after Spain World Cup final defeat

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — In cold rain on Monday, thousands of supporters turned out to cheer the Argentine national football team’s return from the World Cup, even though star forward Lionel Messi was not among those who stepped off the plane after Spain’s final victory.

The reception was far from the outpouring that followed the side’s 2022 title four years earlier, yet streets still filled with dancing, singing and fireworks as fans showed their gratitude.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) had indicated beforehand that not every player would travel on that flight. Local television footage of the arrival did not show Messi leaving the aircraft. Coach Lionel Scaloni and the remaining players were met with a red carpet beside the plane and music from a military band before boarding a bus and waving to excited crowds along the route.

Housewife Marga Ledezma, 36, said that despite missing a second consecutive championship, “Argentines will celebrate anyway.” She praised Messi for “all the years he made us happy” and called on him to keep representing the national side, while conceding that would be hard given he is 39.

Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in a final that drew sharp comment abroad over the volume of fouls and what critics called unsporting conduct by the Albicelestes. “I think they criticise us because we know what it’s like to suffer, that we get up, we fall down again, and we keep going,” Ledezma said.

For many supporters, the deeper triumph was the 2-1 semi-final against England, staged amid the long-running sovereignty row over the Falkland Islands. Some waved banners reading “The Falklands are Argentine.” FIFA is looking into the Argentine squad after players displayed a banner with that message following the England match, prompting anger in London.

“This team united us all, and we should be grateful for that. We will always be there for them, rain or shine. I would say thank you to Messi and that he gave it his all,” said Leonardo Barrientos, 36, who works in a textile workshop.

Maria Ortiz, 28, brought her two-year-old to the welcome and said Spain “deserved the win” while remaining “happy for what the team gave us.”

On Instagram on Monday, Messi wrote that “the pain is immense and it’s going to take a long time for this wound to heal.” Beside a photograph of himself he added: “I’ll also hold on to all the good memories.” He also wrote: “Today it’s hard to appreciate what we achieved, but this squad reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”

With the tournament finished, President Javier Milei said a date still to be fixed with the team would be declared a public holiday recognising their World Cup showing. No extra details have been released.

Though disappointed by the result, large crowds gathered Sunday night at the Obelisk, Buenos Aires’s usual celebration landmark, and partied for hours. Later, short disturbances erupted at the monument; police deployed water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to clear the area. Police sources said 15 people were detained.