Lionel Messi does not travel with the Argentina squad back to Argentina after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, according to NDTV. The report links his absence from the team’s travel plans to Argentina’s defeat in the final. Argentina had been aiming to become the third team to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title, but it fell short. NDTV says Spain dominates Argentina in the match and that the final is decided in extra time. The sources do not provide further details on the specific reason Messi does not travel with the team, nor do they cite statements from Messi or Argentina officials within the provided text. Overall, the reporting focuses on the post-final situation and notes that the team’s title defense ends with a loss to Spain after extra time, while Messi’s travel decision is presented as a key point in the immediate aftermath of the match.