The Argentine National Team returned to the country this Monday after completing another memorable performance in the 2026 World Cup and obtaining the runner-up title after losing 1-0 to Spain in the final held in New Jersey.
The plane that transported part of the squad, the coaching staff, and officials from the Argentine Football Association landed shortly after 6 PM at Ezeiza International Airport, where a special reception had been prepared to honor the players led by Lionel Scaloni.
A red carpet was rolled out in front of the aircraft, while a military formation played "Muchachos," the song that accompanied the National Team during its recent World Cup campaigns. The first members of the delegation to descend were Lionel Scaloni and Nicolás Otamendi.
Several key players from the team also returned to the country, including Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, and Giovani Lo Celso.
After the formal reception, the players boarded a bus specially wrapped with images of the squad and the inscription “Welcome, Argentine National Team.” The vehicle also displayed a message of gratitude for having given their all during the championship.
Thousands of fans welcome the national team
The delegation then set off along the Riccheri highway towards the Lionel Messi complex of the AFA in Ezeiza, where the players were scheduled to reunite with their families.
Tens of fans waited for hours in the vicinity of the airport, the access roads, and the entrances to the complex to greet the team, despite the low temperatures and poor weather conditions. The displays of support multiplied since the defeat in the final and confirmed the public's recognition of a squad that has once again placed Argentina among the best teams in the world.
Thousands of fans welcomed the national team
Lionel Messi was not part of the delegation that returned to Buenos Aires. The captain traveled from New York to Miami along with Rodrigo De Paul to rejoin Inter Miami. Other players also embarked on journeys to the cities where they play for their respective clubs.
The National Team concluded its participation in the World Cup after starring in another historic campaign. Although it did not manage to defend the title won in Qatar 2022, the national team once again reached a final and fell only in a dramatic extra time against Spain.
