Subdued homecoming for Argentina as De Paul rebukes critics

On Monday, a rain‑soaked convoy of an open double‑deck bus carried just sixteen Argentine internationals through the streets of Buenos Aires, the temperature hovering at seven degrees, while star forward Lionel Messi stayed in the United States and did not join the homecoming.

Four years earlier, after the Qatar triumph, an estimated five million fans greeted La Albiceleste in Buenos Aires, creating a frenzy that dwarfed the modest scene of Monday.

Alongside Messi, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also missed the arrival, and the squad was further depleted by the absence of Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz, goalkeeper Juan Musso and former Ajax keeper Gerónimo Rulli.

Thousands of supporters lined the route from the airport to the training complex, cheering the World Cup final losers, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who shone in the 2018 final, deliberately stayed out of the spotlight this time.

The day concluded with a joint dinner for the Argentine team, which Argentine media reported was marked by little laughter.

From Miami, De Paul posted on social media, “If anyone deserved to feel the joy of four years ago, it was you,” addressing his compatriots, and added, “As the hours pass I realise the bond you share with this group goes far beyond a trophy.”

He continued, “Today I see how many people were waiting for this defeat; during the World Cup they spread unfounded conspiracy theories to soothe their disappointment, because they could not experience what we Argentines did. Our smile bothers them, our way of being irritates them, yet it proves that passion for our shirt can overcome everything.”

Inter Miami resumes Major League Soccer on Thursday with a home match against Chicago Fire, but both Messi and De Paul are not expected to feature, and U.S. reports say they will also miss the upcoming game against Montréal before rejoining the squad at the start of next month.