Messi Surprises Argentina Teammates With Thoughtful World Cup Gifts

WHO:

OneFootball - Lionel Messi was seen attending a Leones FC match with his son Mateo.

OneFootball - Matías Messi, Lionel Messi's older brother, is the president of Leones FC.

Yahoo Sports - Argentina defender Marcos Senesi and his girlfriend, English influencer Kelci-Rose Bowers, are involved in revealing the gifts from Lionel Messi.

hitc.com - Argentina's national football team, including Messi and his teammates.

WHAT:

OneFootball - Messi attended a match where Leones FC faced Central Córdoba de Rosario, part of the 21st round of the Primera C Metropolitana.

Yahoo Sports - Messi's gifts included a personalized backpack, a gold Stanley, and a golden bombilla for each teammate.

hitc.com - The gifts were described as a "travelling kit to drink mate" by Kelci-Rose Bowers, who stated, "This is for his mate, a mate gifted from Messi to all the players."

Yahoo Sports - Messi gave all his teammates a personalized backpack and a gold Stanley for drinking mate.

hitc.com - Messi also gifted a golden bombilla to all his teammates alongside the backpack and the mate.

Yahoo Sports - Argentina's bid to defend the World Cup title ended with a 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.

WHERE:

OneFootball - The match took place at the Antonio Di Giacomo stadium in Arroyo Seco, Santa Fe.

Yahoo Sports - The gifts were given in the United States.

hitc.com - The gifts were shared among the Argentina team during the 2026 World Cup.

WHEN:

Yahoo Sports - The gifts were given after the 2026 World Cup final.

hitc.com - The gifts were revealed on Instagram on July 26, 2026.

WHY:

OneFootball - Messi expressed gratitude to Argentine fans in an emotional letter after the World Cup final, stating, "The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal."

Yahoo Sports - The gifts were intended to commemorate the memories made with the team during the World Cup.

Yahoo Sports - The gifts were a thoughtful gesture from Messi to commemorate the memories made with the team.

hitc.com - The gifts reflect Messi's bond with his teammates and their shared culture, particularly the tradition of drinking mate.

HOW:

OneFootball - Messi was dressed in a black coat with his hood up and was holding a mate while watching the match.

Yahoo Sports - The bombilla is used to stir and sip mate without getting chunks of herbs in one’s mouth.

Yahoo Sports - The personalized backpack was designed to carry a gold Stanley, primarily for drinking mate.

hitc.com - The bombilla is a specialized spoon/straw used to stir and sip mate without getting chunks of herbs.

Lionel Messi was spotted attending a Leones FC match with his son Mateo, where the team faced Central Córdoba de Rosario at the Antonio Di Giacomo stadium in Arroyo Seco, Santa Fe. Messi's older brother, Matías Messi, serves as the president of Leones FC, adding a personal connection to the event. Dressed in a black coat with his hood up and holding a mate, Messi recently expressed his gratitude to Argentine fans in an emotional letter, reflecting on the pain of the World Cup final and the time it will take to heal.