Buenos Aires, 16 July – A part of the champion Argentina team returned home after their Copa America victory, receiving a rapturous welcome from millions of fans at the airport. The Albiceleste players were greeted with love and adulation as they made their way through the crowd.

The team's arrival in Argentina marked 153 days after their World Cup triumph in Qatar on December 18, 2022. With the Copa America trophy in hand, the team, led by Angel Di Maria, was celebrated as national heroes. The Albiceleste’s journey from the World Cup to Copa America has captured the hearts of millions, and Buenos Aires was ready to celebrate their champions.

The team arrived in Buenos Aires at 10 PM local time on Monday, flying in from Miami. The players traveled in a bus wrapped in Copa Champion banners, waving to thousands of fans who cheered and honked their horns in celebration. Argentine President Javier Miley invited the champion team for a special reception.

While the majority of the team returned, six players, including Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez, and Nicolas Otamendi, remained in the United States for personal reasons. They are expected to return soon. Meanwhile, there is good news for fans as Di Maria’s teammates are trying hard to persuade him to postpone his retirement. Teammate Nicolas Tagliafico, head coach Lionel Scaloni, and Lionel Messi have all requested Di Maria to stay with the team until at least September next year. It remains to be seen whether Di Maria will heed their requests.

Following their successive victories, coach Lionel Scaloni is seeking another 15-year contract with the Argentine Football Association, and the association is in agreement. Scaloni still has a two-year contract to fulfill, but his continued leadership is eagerly anticipated by the team and fans alike.

In another exciting development, the year for the Finalissima between Euro champions Spain and Copa champions Argentina has been confirmed. The match will take place before May 2025, rekindling memories of Argentina's 3-0 victory over Italy in the last Finalissima.

Lionel Messi, who once had no major titles with the national team, now boasts the most trophies in the world. With 45 trophies to his name, he has surpassed Brazilian superstar Dani Alves. At 37, Messi shows no signs of stopping, much to the delight of football fans worldwide.