Lionel Messi Absent from Argentina's Return Flight as Heartbroken Team Touches Down in Buenos Aires After World Cup Final Loss

LIONEL MESSI was missing from Argentina’s flight home after their World Cup final defeat to Spain.

The after failing to win the tournament back-to-back.

Argentina’s team plane has landed back in Buenos Aires Credit: X @todonoticias Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul were not spotted leaving the aircraft Credit: Getty

, 39, broke down in tears on the MetLife Stadium pitch after the South Americans were beaten by a single goal.

Lionel Scaloni’s side failed to , instead focusing on gamesmanship rather than playing football.

The team have now landed back down in ‘s capital city as they continue to try and get over the heartbreak.

However, there was a notable absentee from the playing staff as they exited the plane.

Messi did not emerge from the aircraft along with the rest of Argentina’s World Cup squad.

The eight-time winner does live in Miami, USA, so it is presumed he has instead gone home.

resume their season on Thursday after the was halted due to the World Cup.

Messi could jump straight back into the action in the match against Chicago Fire.

Nicolás Otamendi and Lionel Scaloni led the players off the plane Credit: X @todonoticias

However, he is expected to have a rest for at least a couple of weeks before returning to club action.

This could be the same for midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who also appeared to be missing.

Scaloni and were the first down the steps before being followed by the likes of Nicolas Tagliafico and Alexis Mac Allister.

Lisandro Martinez was also spotted walking off the plane with his suitcase and a bag.

Lisandro Martinez was spotted coming off the plane Credit: X @todonoticias He could be seen carrying a bag Credit: X @todonoticias

The defender went off injury the first half of the final after appearing to hurt his leg.

He has opted to take the plane to his homeland rather than fly from New York to Manchester, where he lives.

Other players that could be spotted included and Valentin Barco.

after the final whistle of the final for seeing red and fighting multiple players.

Valentin Barco had a vacant expression slapped across his face Credit: X @todonoticias The Argentina team did not watch Spain lift the World Cup trophy Credit: Reuters

Barco became infamous in after Argentina dumped the Three Lions in the semi-final.

He was filmed wildly celebrating in front of the English players and was by .

The former Brighton flop could be seen with a fairly vacant expression on his face as he waited to board the team bus.

There was plenty of pageantry for the World Cup final losers with a military band playing them in off the plane.

There was also a long red carpet rolled out for them all the way to the bus.