Lionel Messi chose not to return to Argentina to greet fans after the painful defeat in the World Cup final (0-1) against Spain, which won the title, and went directly to Miami to join his team Inter Miami.

According to the Argentine newspaper La Nación, Messi traveled directly to Miami with Rodrigo De Paul to join their team Inter Miami at the start of the MLS season, forgoing the official reception ceremony scheduled in the Argentine capital.

Also, Enzo Fernández, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Gerónimo Rulli, Nicolás Paz, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina Lucero, and Juan Musso will not return to Argentina either, as they preferred to go directly to their clubs in Europe and the United States in preparation for the resumption of the season.

Messi's absence from the official reception is an additional disappointment for Argentine fans, who were waiting to see their leader despite the painful loss in the final, where the 'Flea' failed to lead the 'Albiceleste' to defend the title won in Qatar 2022.