Argentina World Cup winners are given heroes’ welcome as thousands line Buenos Aires streets during open top bus parade
ARGENTINIANS lined the streets in their THOUSANDS to welcome home their World Cup-winning team.
Lionel Messi and Co beat France on penalties in Sunday’s final after a thrilling 3-3 draw in one of the all-time great games.
APArgentine fans descended on the Obelisk monument in Buenos Aires[/caption]
AFPThousands of fans flocked to the streets for the parade[/caption]
AFPPeople were even spotted waiting on the top of street signs[/caption]
GettyA sea of blue and white was on show ahead of the players’ arrival[/caption]
ReutersThe bus came through as Argentines flocked to catch a glimpse of the team[/caption]
AFPPictures of Diego Maradona were held up ahead of the parade[/caption]
AFPPeople were even hanging out of the Obelisk monument[/caption]
AFPOne man had the perfect view of the incredible crowd[/caption]
AFPBig flags with Lionel Messi on the front were also spotted in the crowd[/caption]
AFPThere was not a space to be seen between the thousands gathered in the city[/caption]
EPAThere was a superb feeling around all around the city[/caption]
ReutersA huge mural of Maradona was on show in the city[/caption]
The squad returned to Argentina late on Monday night ahead of Tuesday’s parade.
And the country came out in their droves to create a remarkable spectacle in Buenos Aires as they hailed their triumphant side.
Fans gathered around the Obelisk monument in the centre of the capital city as they waited for the team bus to parade through the streets.
It comes after the players took part in a small procession on Tuesday morning.
But that almost ended in calamitous fashion after a street cable almost wiped out the bus.
Messi and four team-mates, including Leandro Paredes and Angel Di Maria, ducked under the overhead power cable with seconds to spare as they headed to the Argentine Football Association’s training ground.
The country are celebrating their first World Cup since Diego Maradona led them to glory in 1986.
They are now three-time world champions – having claimed their first title in 1978.
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Many feared captain Messi would retire following the World Cup – win or lose.
However, the 35-year-old has confirmed he intends to keep on playing for his country after a trophy-laden year-and-a-half.
Argentina’s trophy haul started in the summer of 2021, where they won their first Copa America since 1993.
Messi then completed the set with a World Cup – a tournament he scored seven and assisted three in.
He is the second-most decorated player of ALL TIME with 42 trophies, trailing ex-Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves by one.
AFPIt is Argentina’s first World Cup since Maradona led them to glory in 1986[/caption]
AFPThe country now have three World Cups to their name[/caption]
ReutersArgentina ended 36 years without a World Cup on Sunday[/caption]
ReutersThere was delirium on the streets of Buenos Aires[/caption]
EPAEveryone was there to soak up the atmosphere and welcome home the team[/caption]
