Lionel Messi is still celebrating Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory despite the resumption of most European leagues after the World Cup break.
The PSG star hosted a party in his hometown Rosario, with Angel Di Maria among the teammates in attendance.
Lionel Messi left the chaotic scenes in Bueno Aires to his hometown in Rosario to continue his celebrations after he led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup victory.
The seven times Ballon d’Or winner played a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph over France at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.
He helped the Albiceleste survive the Mbappe scare to edge out France and emerged as world champions.
Lionel Messi scored seven goals, shouldering the responsibility of helping the team claim its first World Cup triumph since 1986.
While most of his Argentina teammates have returned to their clubs, Lionel Messi is still chilling with family, friends, and loved ones. He is set to return to PSG on January 2 or 3.
Despite his imminent return to French Ligue 1 action, Lionel Messi has no dull moments.
Messi organised a party in the city of Rosario to continue his World Cup celebrations.
His father, Jorge, posted photos of the party on social media, showing the family having a nice time with the Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain. Also in the picture were Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonella, and mother, Celia.
His Argentina teammate, Angel Di Maria, who opened the scoring for Argentina in the final, was spotted among the attendees. Also in the party was another Juventus star, Leandro Paredes.
Di Maria and Paredes are due to return to Juventus on January 2, after being granted additional time off by the club.
Team-mates Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martinez have already returned to Juventus’ Serie A rivals Roma and Inter Milan respectively.
Messi’s former international team-mates Javier Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez were also seen arriving at the party in Rosario.
Mascherano played alongside Messi for eight years at Barcelona as well at international level.
The party was held at the City Center Rosario complex, according to the Rosario-based newspaper La Capital, which also hosted Messi’s wedding to Antonela back in 2017.
The venue was reportedly fenced off in the build-up to the party in an effort to avoid Messi from being swamped by fans.
Argentina’s success has led to the Paris Saint-Germain star being regularly mobbed, prompting reports that Messi ‘may avoid any more public appearances’ over the Christmas period.
The star had been swamped by supporters on his way to his niece’s 15th birthday party earlier this week
Messi had issued a message to his supporters after receiving an ‘Illustrious Citizen’ plaque for his World Cup exploits from the Mayor of Funes, Roly Santacroce.
The star thanked fans for their support and apologised for not being so visible in public.
Messi had shown his support for his PSG team-mates from afar this week, as the French champions battled away for a 2-1 win against Strasbourg, and will return to the team on January 2 or 3.
