On the morning of July 16, the Argentina national team returned to Buenos Aires to celebrate their Copa America 2024 victory. However, Messi and a few other key players were absent.

According to journalist Gaston Edul of TyC Sports: “Messi, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, forward Alvarez, central defender Otamendi, and some other players will not return to Argentina with the national team after the Copa America final to attend the celebration. They have some personal plans to attend to afterward.”

Surprisingly, Messi did not return to Argentina to celebrate the Copa America victory

Images from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) show that most of the remaining players of the Argentina national team returned to Buenos Aires on July 16, including key figures like coach Scaloni, forward Di Maria, midfielder De Paul, Leandro Paredes, and heroic forward Lautaro Martinez.

Although he did not return to Argentina to celebrate the Copa America victory as he had in previous occasions, Messi sent an emotional message on Instagram the same day to thank the fans, teammates, and many others who worked silently behind the scenes to achieve this historic feat in the Copa America held in the United States.

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Messi did not return to Argentina to celebrate the Copa America victoryThe Argentina national team returned to Buenos Aires with Di Maria (center), coach Scaloni (left), and AFA President Claudio Tapia (right) leading the way.

“The Copa America has ended, and first of all, I want to thank everyone for the messages and congratulations. I am fine, thank God, and I hope to be back on the field soon to enjoy what I love.

I am very happy because we achieved our goal of winning the championship. Especially with veteran players like Di Maria and Otamendi. We lived with special enthusiasm, with other experienced teammates in many tournaments, and a new generation of young players who always give their best in every play.

We are a team and also a family, a great group. Thank you all for the encouragement, this team still has a lot to do in the present and the future. Let’s move forward, Argentina!” Messi wrote.

Messi did not return to Argentina to celebrate the Copa America victoryMessi and his sons reunited after more than 40 days apart due to Copa America 2024.

July 16 was also a special occasion for Messi, as he celebrated one year since joining Inter Miami. The 37-year-old signed a contract with the American club, owned and chaired by former football star David Beckham, until 2025 with an option to extend for another year.

Messi chose to stay in the U.S. to recover from an ankle injury he sustained in the Copa America 2024 final. He hopes to recover soon to prepare to return to play for Inter Miami in the ongoing MLS and Leagues Cup matches. Veteran forward Luis Suarez of Inter Miami, after helping Uruguay secure third place in Copa America 2024, also returned to training on July 16.

Messi did not return to Argentina to celebrate the Copa America victorySuarez (left) has returned to training at Inter Miami.

Messi and Suarez might return to play for Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup group stage match against Puebla (Mexico) on July 28. However, this will depend on the recovery of Messi’s injury, as the severity and duration of his absence are still uncertain.