Over 10,000 fans gathered at Ezeiza to greeten Argentina’s squad after their World Cup final loss to Spain, with the open-top bus caravan turning the Riccheri Highway under heavy rain, despite the absence of Lionel Messi and several key players who departed directly to Europe or the United States.
The scene was strikingly similar to the celebrations that followed Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar -except this time, the team was returning without the trophy.
The emotional response from the public underscored a deeper connection between the national squad, so-called “Scaloneta” and the Argentinean people, one that transcends victories and defeats.
RELATED: CONMEBOL Confirms FIFA World Cup 2030 Centenary Matches in South America
Before the wheels touched the runway, Minister Pistarini Airport had already prepared its own message. On the grass of the airstrip, the word “Thank you!” appeared painted in 150-meter letters, a work that required more than 20 cans of paint, 100 stakes and three days of labor. This same night, at Ezeiza Airport the gesture was repeated in the sky with a drone show that drew the same gratitude.
Text reads: “This is how the Ezeiza Airport’s workers waited for the Argentinean selection.”
In the hangar, a delegation from the Alto Peru Grenadiers’ Regiment Band waited with the “Boys” (“Muchachos“, in Spanish) notes, a song that became worldwide popular with Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The AR 1971 Aerolíneas Argentinas flight touched down at 6:19 p.m. local time, carrying 16 players, Scaloni and his coaching staff. Veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi was the first to descend the stairs, accompanied by Scaloni and Argentinean Football Association (AFA) President Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. Behind them came Nicolás Tagliafico, Marcos Senesi, Gonzalo Montiel, Leandro Paredes, Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez -traveling with one of his daughters- Lisandro Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister, Exequiel Palacios, José Manuel López, Giovani Lo Celso and the rest of the delegation.
Notably absent from the flight was Lionel Messi, who traveled directly to Miami and is expected to depart for his hometown of Rosario on Wednesday to reunite with his family. Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami, also traveled to the U.S. city. Several other players -Enzo Fernández, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Gerónimo Rulli, Nicolás Paz, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina and Juan Musso-departed directly to Europe to join their respective clubs for pre-season preparations.
After 19:15, the cast left in the convertible vehicle and, despite the bad weather, the world’s subchampions greeted with good disposition the people who were stationed on the side of the road. The fans appreciated and followed for a few meters to the microphone until it became impossible due to the layout.
Despite the persistent drizzle, a massive crowd had been waiting for hours, transforming the highway’s shoulders into a sea of blue and white flags, flares, fireworks and chants.
The magnitude of the reception moved several players and coaching staff members to lean out of the bus windows and even climb onto the roof of the open-top vehicle to greet the fans, sing along with them and express their gratitude for the unwavering support.
For Argentina, the defeat marked the end of an era in many ways. Ángel Di María had already announced his retirement from international football before the tournament, and Messi -at 39 years old- has not confirmed whether he will continue.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Una publicación compartida de Selección Argentina (@afaseleccion)
Text reads: “Just say Thank you, country. Infinite thanks.”
Earlier, Lionel Messi had published an emotional message addressing the loss. “It will take time for this wound to close,” the captain wrote, acknowledging the pain of falling short in what is widely believed to have been his final World Cup appearance.
The team’s schedule for the coming days remains unconfirmed, but the immediate priority is rest and recovery after a grueling tournament campaign. Coach Lionel Scaloni has not yet announced whether there will be a formal event or public celebration to acknowledge the team’s achievement.
La calurosa bienvenida a @Argentina en Buenos Aires tras la #CopaMundialFIFA
pic.twitter.com/aOM1bbMUU2
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) July 20, 2026
Security Operation Deployed
From the early hours of the day, the areas surrounding Ezeiza International Airport were under a major security operation designed to guarantee the safe arrival of the delegation and to organize the circulation of supporters who came to receive the players.
According to official sources, more than 3,000 police officers were deployed for the special operation, which included access controls, reinforced security presence and a traffic and pedestrian management scheme around the airport and along the planned route to the Argentinean Football Association (AFA) complex.
President Javier Milei had announced on Sunday that he would declare a holiday the day Argentinean Football Association (AFA) authorities determined to hold a celebration for the subchampionship, although the institution does not plan official celebrations at these hours and would also not accept the invitation to visit the government. The squar’s agenda for the next few hours remains, for the moment, without official confirmation.
For Argentine fans, the reception was not about celebrating second place. It was about honoring a team that gave everything on the pitch, that played with the same passion and identity that made them world champions in 2022, and that continues to make the nation proud regardless of the scoreline.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.