Lionel Messi slipped back into Argentina under the cover of early morning, returning to his hometown of Rosario for a brief period of rest after the national team’s agonizing World Cup final defeat to Spain.

His private jet touched down at an airfield near Rosario after a flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was a subdued homecoming for the Argentina captain, whose every move usually draws a frenzy. Despite a sizable crowd of supporters gathered with flags, banners, and mobile phones at the ready, Messi avoided any public appearance.

Fans caught only a fleeting glimpse of the dark SUV that rolled onto the tarmac to collect Messi and his family. The vehicle quickly whisked them away toward the gated community of Funes, a quiet enclave roughly 300 kilometers north of Buenos Aires, where the forward is expected to spend several days away from the spotlight.

Messi traveled with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons, who had followed him throughout the tournament in North America. Waiting in Rosario was his father, Jorge, 68, whose ongoing medical treatment for an undisclosed illness had been made public during the World Cup, adding a personal layer of concern to Messi’s campaign.

Supporters had begun gathering at the airport as early as 3:30 a.m., braving the cold and darkness in the hope of a momentary connection with their idol. Among them were two young girls in Argentina shirts, clutching handmade signs. One message captured the mood of a nation still proud despite defeat: “Messi: You’re a legend. Thank you for bringing joy to our hearts. A whole country loves you!”

While Messi rests, the remainder of Argentina’s squad has begun to disperse. Fifteen members of the 26-man roster, led by head coach Lionel Scaloni, arrived in Buenos Aires on a chartered flight, returning to a country processing the narrow 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, sealed by Ferran Torres.

The final was Messi’s third on football’s biggest stage, after appearances in 2014 and 2022. He finished the tournament with eight goals, second only to France’s Kylian Mbappé, who now leads the all-time World Cup scoring chart with 22, one ahead of Messi.

Messi is expected to rejoin Inter Miami later in the MLS season, but for now, Rosario offers a rare chance for the global icon to retreat, regroup, and share quiet time with family in the city where his story began.