The plane took off at 10:00 p.m. local time and is scheduled to land at Le Bourget airport in Paris at 3:00 p.m. in France, it said.
Numerous fans were waiting for him around the airport to try to say goodbye and take a selfie, but it was practically impossible because the private cars carrying Messi and his family went directly onto the runway in the middle of a major security operation.
Messi has been installed since December 20 at his home in a private neighborhood in the town of Funes, on the outskirts of Rosario, where he arrived after leading a caravan and massive festivities in Buenos Aires to celebrate the world title of the National Team, the third in the history of the Albiceleste after Argentina 1978 and Mexico 1986.
The Albiceleste captain enjoyed a few days off with his family and spent the Christmas and New Year holidays in his country before returning to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he will reunite with his teammate Kylian Mbappé, whom he faced in the World Cup final in Doha on December 18 that Argentina won in a penalty shootout (4-2) after drawing 3-3 in the game.
PSG coach Christophe Galtier had said last week that he expected Messi to rejoin the team “on January 2 or 3”.
PSG, leader of the French championship, has just suffered its first defeat of the season (3-1) on Sunday in its visit to Lens on matchday 17 of the tournament.