Messi's first image after arriving in Rosario: appeared in the stands of Leones, his lower-division club

Lionel Messi has made his first public appearance in Rosario since returning home following Argentina's defeat in the 2026 World Cup final. The football superstar was spotted in the stands watching a match for Leones, the club his family founded and which his brother currently presides over.

Messi arrived in Rosario on Wednesday via private jet from Miami, after a brief stop with teammate Rodrigo de Paul following the World Cup final loss to Spain. While the rest of the national team returned to Ezeiza, Messi opted for a more private journey back to his hometown. His intention is to spend a few days with his family in Funes before his eventual return to Inter Miami.

Inter Miami's coach, Guillermo Hoyos, has stated that there is no set return date for Messi, indicating a period of rest and family time. Upon his arrival in Rosario, Messi was greeted by a crowd of fans hoping for a photo, though he had not been seen publicly until his appearance at the Leones match.

Leones, founded in January 2015, recently achieved direct affiliation with the Argentine Football Association (AFA), allowing them to compete in the Primera C league. The team is currently performing well, sitting fourth in Zone B with 29 points, and is in contention for promotion.