Lionel Messi misses Argentina open-top bus parade as thousands of fans welcome beaten World Cup finalists back to Buenos Aires

Scaloni leads home delegation

Scaloni and 16 of Argentina's 26-man squad arrived at Ezeiza International Airport on Monday to a red carpet and a military band following their

🇦🇷 Seleção argentina, vice-campeã do mundo, passeia em ônibus aberto pelas ruas de Buenos Aires e é recebida por apoiadores. pic.twitter.com/BueFHZDyC6— Eixo Político (@eixopolitico) July 20, 2026

Milei praises defeated squad

Argentine president Javier Milei revealed the squad were in no mood to celebrate following their final defeat, explaining why a modest reception was still arranged.

Addressing the team's sombre mood, he stated: "Faced with the disappointment of not having won, they decided not to celebrate, but someone had to do something befitting this wonderful team, the greatest in history. In the last three World Cups, they reached four finals and won one. Given their performance and the values they displayed on the pitch, it had to be done."

When asked about Messi's decision to bypass the homecoming in Buenos Aires, Milei - who confirmed

"This isn't a moment that feels good. There are no words to describe it. He's a master of the game; he's done unimaginable things. Football fans owe him a debt of gratitude. Let's respect his decision; it's hard to know they were just one step away."

De Paul answers critics

Meanwhile,

Taking to Instagram

"Today, I look at how many people were waiting for this fall, spreading baseless conspiracy theories throughout the World Cup just to soothe their own pain at not being able to experience what we Argentines were living through - because our smiles bother them, because our ways get under their skin... But all that did was reaffirm that the passion and love for our jersey can overcome anything.

"It will hurt for a long time, but today, more than ever, I am proud to be Argentine."

Fresh era awaits Argentina

Attention for Scaloni’s backroom team must now shift toward integrating a fresh generation of players to succeed the ageing core expected to exit the international stage. Although this campaign was widely viewed as Messi’s sixth and final World Cup, the 39-year-old Inter Miami forward is yet to formally announce his retirement from national team duty.