Thousands welcome home Argentina squad, without Messi, despite World Cup loss

EZEIZA, Argentina: Thousands of fans braved the cold and rain Monday to give a rapturous welcome to the Argentine football squad who landed back home without star Lionel Messi, after their 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.
Coach Lionel Scaloni and the rest of the team were welcomed with a red carpet outside the aircraft and a military band.
They then boarded a bus, waving to frenzied fans along the way.
Despite falling short of a second straight championship, “Argentines will celebrate anyway,” said housewife Marga Ledezma.

The 36-year-old thanked Messi for “all the years he made us happy,” urging him not to quit playing for Argentina, but admitting this would be difficult as he was 39.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in a game that has been criticized in international media for a plethora of fouls and displays of poor sportsmanship from the Albiceleste.
“I think they criticize us because we know what it’s like to suffer, that we get up, we fall down again, and we keep going,” said Ledezma.
Many fans highlighted that the real victory for Argentina was the 2-1 semifinal win over England, played against the backdrop of a lingering dispute between the countries over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
Some carried flags declaring “The Falklands are Argentine.” FIFA is