Despite €35m value, World Cup star rides home in dad's pick-up

Despite a reported market value of €35 million, Uruguay forward Maxi Araújo returned home in a low-profile way after the 2026 World Cup. The Sporting player stood out in a disappointing tournament for the two-time champions, directly involved in all three of La Celeste’s goals, though Uruguay still exited at the group stage. After arriving at the airport in Uruguay, Araújo traveled from the terminal on the back of his father’s Daihatsu pickup truck. The article links the contrast to his grounding despite significant earnings, citing an estimated annual salary of €700,000. It frames the homeward journey as a notable detail in an otherwise tough World Cup campaign.