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‘Goosebumps’: Argentina receive heroes’ welcome at home after World Cup loss; celebration goes viral | Watch
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Argentina returned home to a hero's welcome despite their heartbreaking 0-1 World Cup final defeat to Spain. Thousands of supporters braved the cold and rain to greet the squad in Buenos Aires.Coach Lionel Scaloni led the team off the plane to a red-carpet reception. A military band performed as the players arrived back at Ezeiza International Airport.Captain Lionel Messi, however, did not return with the main squad on the flight. The Argentine Football Association earlier confirmed that several players would not be on the aircraft. Messi's absence was prominent in the images broadcast on local Argentine television.Quick answers to key questions•5 QUESTIONSDespite the heartbreaking 0-1 loss, Argentina fans greeted their team with a hero's welcome in Buenos Aires, expressing gratitude rather than disappointment.Messi’s absence from the main flight back to Argentina was highly publicized and drew attention, highlighting his prominent role and emotional impact on the team and fans.Videos of Argentina’s fan-filled celebrations went viral as supporters expressed overwhelming love for their team, despite the loss, showcasing unity and national pride.The current reception was marked by gratitude versus the celebratory atmosphere following their 2022 victory, as fans acknowledged their team’s effort rather than a trophy.Following the final, Argentina faced criticism for excessive fouling and poor sportsmanship, which overshadowed their performance and sparked discussions about their conduct.Several Argentine players did not return home immediately after the tournament. These include Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martínez. Julian Alvarez, Geronimo Rulli and Nicolas Paz are also staying abroad.Others returning to Buenos Aires landed at Ezeiza Airport on Monday evening. They departed New York around 8 AM, Argentina time.Families arrived earlier, alongside AFA executives, on a separate flight. Coach Lionel Scaloni travelled back with his coaching staff.Fans gathered at the AFA training complex near the airport, draped in blue-and-white flags. Thousands more flocked to the iconic Obelisk, their traditional rallying point for football celebrations.The reception stood in contrast to the scenes four years earlier following their 2022 triumph. At that time, millions filled the streets to celebrate their World Cup victory. This time, supporters came to express gratitude rather than to celebrate a trophy.Fan Marga Ledezma, 36, thanked Messi for the joy he had brought over the years. "Argentinians will celebrate anyway," Al Jazeera quoted her as saying.She thanked Leo for “all the years” he made people happy and requested that he not retire from international football. On criticism, she said, “I think they criticise us because we know what it’s like to suffer, that we get up, we fall down again, and we keep going.”Argentina's final was also overshadowed by criticism of their conduct on the pitch. Their performance drew widespread condemnation for excessive fouling and poor sportsmanship throughout.Many supporters highlighted the semi-final victory over England as the tournament's defining moment. That win carried extra emotional weight given the longstanding Falklands sovereignty dispute between the two nations.Celebration goes viralThe celebration videos have gone viral on social media. Many users say that they can’t stop watching them.“My phone battery went from 100 to 10 looking at this,” wrote one of them.“Bro, I'm thinking about supporting this again without Messi, even. This is total love for football,” posted one fan.Another wrote, “It gives me goosebumps, so much love for my country, my people, my flag!”“Great reception...for the fight and the memories,” came from another.About the AuthorSounak MukhopadhyaySounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time u
Piers Morgan frequently omits Messi from his greatest player lists, favouring Ronaldo instead. He is now facing backlash for a political post regarding England's football team ahead of their match against Argentina.Piers Morgan's ‘political’ post for Harry Kane: Messi critic's message ahead of Argentina vs England faces backlash (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images/AFP )Piers Morgan's political post ahead of Argentina vs England is facing backlash on social media. The British broadcaster shared a message for Harry Kane and his team as they take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026.“England are two wins away from being crowned football World Champions in America, just days after the U.S. celebrated 250 years of kicking us out. If that doesn’t inspire Harry Kane and his team to glory, nothing will. Come on lads, do it for King George III,” he wrote.Social media users were quick to react.“Don't bring politics to football. This is wrong,” wrote one of them.“Everyone kicked you guys out across the world, isn’t it? Having looking at your post, seems like your didn’t learn from those kicks,” posted another user.One user commented, “Piers, man, read the room. I know your post was TIC but c’mon. Unless you’re cool losing your US audience that is.”Another user remarked, “I’ll tell you the same thing they tell us Southerners all the time: ‘Get over it, you lost’.”“Your fans are the shame of Britain! No one in the world of football likes you and will never like you..so really doesn’t matter… all you will bring home is shame,” came from another.One user posted, “What a weird post! To try and motivate yourself of something that happened 250 years back. Get a life, Piers!”“Would be nothing sweeter than seeing the goat, whom you have maligned with your brazen disrespect, deprive you of the pleasure of seeing England win the cup,” posted another user while referring to Lionel Messi.Morgan on MessiPiers Morgan is widely known for consistently criticising Lionel Messi. This stems largely from his close friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo.Ahead of England vs Argentina, Morgan dismissed concerns about Messi entirely. He claimed Jude Bellingham, not Messi, was the tournament's real superstar.Following Argentina's win over Algeria, Morgan accused referees of favouritism. He suggested Messi had received preferential treatment due to his status.After Messi missed a penalty against Austria, Morgan mocked him publicly. Leo later scored twice, helping Argentina win that match comfortably.Morgan consistently excludes Messi from his all-time greatest player rankings. His preferred all-time XI features Ronaldo, Ronaldo Nazario and Maradona instead. He argues Messi isn't even Argentina's greatest player historically. He credits Maradona instead, citing Messi's comfortable surroundings at Barcelona.After Argentina's 2022 World Cup win, Morgan repeatedly mocked Messi's celebrations. Fans note Morgan once called Messi the undisputed GOAT, though. Those earlier tweets have since been deleted or contradicted entirely, especially after he became friends with CR7.About the AuthorSounak MukhopadhyaySounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture
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