Messi watches his club’s match after putting World Cup final defeat behind him
Collected Photo
Lionel Messi made his first public appearance since Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. After a period of solitude and rest, the Argentine superstar attended a local football match in his hometown of Rosario with his eldest son, Mateo Messi.
According to Marca, Messi watched the match between Leones de Rosario and Central Cordoba on Saturday from the stands. The Leones de Rosario club was founded in 2015 through Messi’s family. The team currently competes in Argentina’s fourth tier Primera C. The club is managed by Messi’s brother, Matias Messi.
A video published by Argentina’s Cadena 3 Radio showed Messi standing on the stadium balcony wearing a black hoodie. Fans in attendance chanted his name, and Messi responded with a smile, waving to acknowledge their support.
It is worth noting that Messi had been deeply affected since Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain. After the loss, he left the field in tears and remained largely silent on social media. He also did not return home with his Argentina teammates on the team flight, instead traveling later to his hometown of Rosario.
The Argentine football icon is currently spending time with his family as he recovers from the mental exhaustion and disappointment of the World Cup. However, he is expected to return to Major League Soccer soon with Inter Miami. The club and his teammates are reportedly giving him sufficient time to recover both mentally and physically before making his comeback.
