Lionel Messi made his first public appearance since Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, attending a Primera C match between Leones FC and Central Córdoba de Rosario on 25 July. The 39-year-old watched from a balcony at the Antonio Di Giacomo stadium in Arroyo Seco, dressed in a black hooded sweatshirt and cap, and was filmed by Argentine radio station Cadena 3 Rosario acknowledging chants from supporters. The outing ended a week-long retreat to his home in Funes, Rosario, after he had returned privately from the United States and remained out of sight.

Leones FC, founded in 2015 by the Messi family and presided over by his brother Matías, is competing in Argentina’s fourth division this season after the Argentine Football Association granted it direct affiliation. Messi was accompanied by his son Mateo and carried a mate gourd, a detail noted by several Argentine outlets. The home side lost 2-0, with Central Córdoba fielding a midfielder also named Joaquín Messi, who has no family connection to the star. The visit was widely interpreted in Argentine media as a gesture of support for the family project, which had not previously been attended by the player in person.

The final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey saw Ferran Torres score the decisive goal in the 106th minute, after which a mass confrontation broke out involving players and staff. FIFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into the conduct of Argentina’s delegation, including an alleged punch by assistant coach Roberto Ayala and a red card for Leandro Paredes. An online petition calling for Argentina to be banned from the next World Cup has reportedly gathered over 23 million signatures, though FIFA has not commented. Messi himself posted a message on social media acknowledging the “very great pain” of the loss and praising the team’s journey to a second consecutive final.

Speculation over Messi’s international future intensified after Paredes told Talksport that the forward had decided the final would be his last match for Argentina. “I think he has already decided that this was going to be his last game with the national team,” Paredes said, adding that he hoped Messi would continue. No official announcement has been made, and Messi is expected to rejoin Inter Miami after a period of rest. The club has indicated it will give its captain time to recover physically and mentally before the resumption of the MLS season.