Messi Switches to Full Disconnect Mode

Lionel Messi is back in Argentina to begin a well-earned break after closing a historic season with Inter Miami. The captain of the Argentine national team arrived on Wednesday morning with a clear plan: spend the holiday season with his family and step away from football, even if only briefly.

Messi landed at 10:03 AM at the Sauce Viejo International Airport in Santa Fe, arriving on a private flight from the United States. With the airport in Rosario closed since September due to infrastructure works, the final leg of the journey was completed by road.

A Family Trip Under Tight Security

Messi traveled alongside his partner, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their children Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. From Sauce Viejo, the family was escorted by a security operation to Rosario, heading directly to their residence in a private neighborhood in Funes.

As has become routine whenever the World Cup winner returns to Argentina, dozens of fans gathered around the airport wearing national team jerseys and waving flags, hoping for a glimpse of him. The movement, however, was swift and discreet, with no direct interaction with the public.

A Crucial Break Before a Demanding 2026

Messi’s arrival marks the beginning of several weeks of rest before returning to Miami in January, when Inter Miami’s preseason gets underway. The goal is to recharge physically and mentally after a year packed with commitments at both club and international level.

Looking ahead, 2026 looms as a particularly demanding year, with the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada as the ultimate objective. With the tournament approaching, managing recovery and mindset is essential for the 38-year-old star.

Christmas in Rosario, a Long-Standing Tradition

Beyond football, Messi has long maintained the tradition of celebrating Christmas and New Year’s in Rosario, surrounded by family and far from media attention. It is a familiar routine that allows him to reconnect with his roots before embarking on another professional challenge.

Once again, the world’s greatest player closes the year at home, while football patiently waits for his return in 2026.