Argentina returned home on Monday night to celebrate their successful Copa America title defence with thousands of fans, but captain Lionel Messi did not join his teammates in Buenos Aires.
Led by coach Lionel Scaloni and veteran winger Angel Di Maria, who played his last game for Argentina in Sunday's 1-0 win over Colombia, the team arrived amid fireworks and thousands of fans celebrating their 16th Copa America triumph.
Messi remained in Miami, where the final was played, to receive treatment for a right ankle injury sustained in the match.
The Inter Miami striker gave an update on his status on Instagram: “The Copa America is over and the first thing I want to do is thank everyone for the messages and greetings.
“I'm fine, thank God, and I hope to soon be back on the field enjoying what I like to do most. I'm happy, very happy, especially because we achieved the goal we had and Fide [Di Maria] leaves us but with another Cup.
“The older ones, like him, [Nicolás] Ota [Otamendi] or I experienced it [Copa América] “With special excitement, with other teammates who have already competed in several tournaments and have also added their experience, and with a group of youngsters who give their all in every ball.”
Messi lifted Argentina's third consecutive major trophy on Sunday, having won the Copa del Rey in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022.
It was also Argentina's record 16th Copa America title. “We are a team and also a family, a spectacular group,” Messi wrote. “Thanks to all those who supported us, this team has a great present and a great future too.”
