Lionel Messi back in view after 2026 World Cup final loss: where, what | OneFootball

After several days of keeping a very low profile following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, Lionel Messi appeared in public again. The Albiceleste captain was seen this Saturday in Arroyo Seco, Santa Fe, where he attended a Leones FC match with his son Mateo, the club owned by his family.

Messi’s presence drew attention because it was his first public appearance since the match played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, after which he returned to the country and chose to stay away from the public eye.

Wearing a black coat, a hood, and holding a mate in his hand, Messi watched the match from one of the stands at Antonio Di Giacomo Stadium, accompanied by his son Mateo. The match was part of the 21st round of the Primera C Metropolitana, where Leones FC faced Central Córdoba de Rosario.

The club, playing its first season in the division, is a family project led by Matías Messi, the Argentine captain’s older brother, who serves as the club’s president. Also part of the leadership are María Sol Messi and Tomás Matías Messi, the footballer’s nephew.

At the moment, Leones FC is fighting for the top spots in Zone B, with an impressive campaign in its debut season in the division.

An interesting detail from the match: another “Messi” was on the field

The match had one detail that quickly went viral. For Central Córdoba de Rosario, Joaquín Messi started the game, a 24-year-old midfielder who wore the number 10 shirt.

Despite sharing a last name with the world champion, the two are not related. The player came through Newell’s Old Boys’ youth academy, spent time at Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, and has long made headlines precisely because of the coincidence of his surname.

In remarks made years ago, he had explained: “When I arrived, everyone asked me if I was related to him. It’s just a coincidence. In my hometown, there are several families with the last name Messi, and it just so happens that I play football too.”

Messi’s message after losing the final

After the defeat to Spain, Messi chose to speak out through an emotional letter addressed to Argentina’s fans.

The captain thanked them for the support he received during the World Cup and highlighted the team’s effort to reach yet another final. “The pain is immense, and it’s going to take time for this wound to heal. But I also take all the good with me… This group reached two consecutive World Cup finals. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and every message.” He also publicly congratulated Spain on winning the title.

Uncertainty over Messi’s future with the national team

The Rosario-born star’s reappearance also brought renewed focus to one of the biggest questions in Argentine football: will he keep playing for the national team?

In recent days, Leandro Paredes surprised many by revealing that the forward had already made a decision before the final. “It hurts because we didn’t want that last match to come. He had made a decision—that it would be his last match with the national team. Hopefully not, hopefully he can keep playing. It will be the decision that makes him happy.”

For now, Messi has not officially confirmed whether he will continue wearing Argentina’s shirt, so his teammate’s remarks have only fueled even more speculation about the future of the Albiceleste’s biggest icon.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.