A “forest” of fans in the capital Buenos Aires enthusiastically welcomed the Argentine football team as heroes, after the plane carrying Lionel Messi and his World Cup winning teammates landed at Ezeiza airport in the early morning of December 20 (local time).
Lionel Messi holds the World Cup trophy. Photo: AP
The Argentine players, led by captain Lionel Messi, were filled with happiness as they stepped off the plane at Ezeiza airport, on the outskirts of the Argentine capital, at 3 a.m. on December 20 (local time) on a red carpet that had been laid out.
Messi was the first player to step off the plane carrying the Argentine team home, accompanied by coach Lionel Scaloni. They were greeted by a banner that read: “Thank you champions!” Messi held in his hand the 36.5 cm high, 6.175 kg solid gold trophy. The total value of the trophy is estimated at around 20 million USD.
Lionel Messi gets off a plane with coach Lionel Scaloni, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. AP photo
The Argentine capital has been in a frenzy of celebration since the team’s dramatic victory over arch-rivals France in the final on December 18 in Qatar, which gave Argentina their first World Cup title since Diego Maradona lifted the trophy 36 years ago.
The players, wearing gold medals, took turns holding the World Cup trophy aloft, waving to fans from an open-top bus. Meanwhile, a “forest” of fans created a sparkling light party as they turned on their flashlights and waved national flags in jubilant cheers. They sang along to the beat of drums and fireworks lit up the sky as the bus slowly made its way through the crowd.
The players were also welcomed by rock band La Mosca with the song Muchachos, the team’s anthem for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The players are expected to spend a few hours at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters near the airport before heading to the giant Obeliso monument in the city centre, where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather by noon.
The Argentina team celebrates with fans at home. Photo: Reuters
Earlier, thousands of people followed flight number AR1915 of the national airline Aerolineas Argentinas carrying the Argentine team, throughout the journey from Doha and stopping in Rome.
Messi, 35, has said the final in Qatar will be his last World Cup appearance, but he still plans to play a few more games for his country.
Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw, with number 10 Messi scoring twice.
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared December 20 a national holiday so people can meet the national team and celebrate their World Cup victory.
The World Cup and the success of Messi’s team have provided a much-needed boost to a country that has been mired in recession for years and has one of the highest inflation rates in the world. Nearly four in 10 people live in poverty.
