Argentina’s national soccer team came home Tuesday to huge crowds at a World Cup parade. Following their victory in the 2022 World Cup on Sunday, the South Americans finally returned to Argentina.
Fans were not put off by the arrival time of the team’s plane. Lionel Messi and company arrived at the Buenos Aires airport after two in the morning. The team was received by thousands of people who expected to see the team with the trophy.
However, the celebrations only got bigger from there. The Argentine government declared Tuesday a holiday as the team was scheduled to parade through the capital city. Many pundits and reporters assumed that there would be massive crowds for the parade. However, the scenes of the procession on Tuesday are downright impressive.
TyC Sports, an Argentina-based television channel, reported that an estimated five million people attended the festivities.
Other videos coming from Argentina show how packed the fans are in celebration. Even from above you can see very little pavement of the city streets.
Millions welcome Messi and Argentina in the World Cup parade
Messi led Argentina in Qatar to their third World Cup title. However, it was the team’s first win in the competition in 36 years. Diego Maradona previously led Argentina to the trophy in 1986. The legend’s ‘Hand of God’ goal became one of the most infamous moments in World Cup history that year.
However, victory in the 2022 World Cup now cements Messi’s legacy in the sport. While the 35-year-old playmaker was considered by many to be the greatest player of all time even before this year’s tournament, Messi’s triumph in Qatar all but puts an end to the debate. He now he has accomplished everything in his illustrious career.
While Tuesday’s parade drew a large number of fans, the celebrations inside Argentina are likely to drag on for weeks. The country’s top-flight league does not start again until January 27.
PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto
