Hundreds of thousands of fans streamed into the streets of Buenos Aires Tuesday, eager to catch a glimpse of the open-top bus carrying the Argentine national soccer team that won one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time as it headed to the capital to celebrate.
The bus left the Argentine Football Association headquarters outside the capital and was moving slowly as thousands lined the highway, many waving Argentine flags.
Team Captain Lionel Messi and the rest of the players waved at fans from the bus as they carried the World Cup trophy aloft after securing the countryB次元官网网址檚 third title and its first since 1986.
B次元官网网址淭his is madness, itB次元官网网址檚 indescribable,B次元官网网址� said Brian Andreassi, 23, as he walked downtown wearing the teamB次元官网网址檚 jersey. B次元官网网址淭here are no words.B次元官网网址�
The World Cup and the success of the Messi-led squad has brought much-needed good news for a country that has been stuck in economic doldrums for years, suffers one of the worldB次元官网网址檚 highest inflation rates and where nearly 4-in-10 people live in poverty.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an immense union among all Argentines B次元官网网址� unity, happiness. ItB次元官网网址檚 as if you can breathe another air, thereB次元官网网址檚 another energy in the air,B次元官网网址� said Victoria Rold谩n. B次元官网网址淢y body and heart are about to burst.B次元官网网址�
Carrying a World Cup replica, the 32-year-old was headed downtown with her sister, Mariana, as they tried to figure out the best spot to catch a glimpse of the team, and in particular, its captain.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e going where they say Leo will be because weB次元官网网址檙e dying to see him,B次元官网网址� Rold谩n said. B次元官网网址淪eeing him with that immense smile, with those bright eyes filled with hope, it really fills our heart with joy and happiness. WeB次元官网网址檙e very happy for this country to enjoy this happiness and I think that Leo has deserved it for years, and this was his moment.B次元官网网址�
The players were all smiles as they watched the multitudes of fans gathered to see them, many trying to get as close as possible to the bus. An estimated 4 million people were in the streets by Tuesday afternoon, according to local media citing police sources.
Celebrating fans took over highways, avenues and the access routes into the capital, often slowing the bus carrying the players to a crawl as temperatures climbed to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Uncertainty over the bus route led to exasperation among fans, many of whom had traveled hundreds of miles (kilometers).
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a little disoriented because we donB次元官网网址檛 know the route and a little frustrated because we traveled so many kilometers and may not be able to see them,B次元官网网址� said Giselle Pisani, 34, who traveled 350 kilometers (220 miles) with her family from the town of Olavarria.
Thousands had set up camp since early Tuesday morning at the Obelisk, the iconic Buenos Aires landmark that is the traditional site of celebrations. But as the number of people grew, it was unclear whether the bus would go there amid concern that it would not be able to pass safely.
President Alberto Fern谩ndez declared a national holiday Tuesday so the country could celebrate the World Cup victory.
The song B次元官网网址淢uchachos,B次元官网网址� which was written by a fan and filled the streets as fans joined in singing it over and over again.
Some fans also paid tribute to Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, the captain of the 1986 squad that won the World Cup and who died two years ago, with flags bearing his name and face. B次元官网网址淭his is for Diego, whoB次元官网网址檚 seeing it from heaven,B次元官网网址� fans chanted.
B次元官网网址淭his is a party. The last time Argentina was a champion I was 3 years old, I donB次元官网网址檛 remember anything,B次元官网网址� said Yael Torchinsky, 39. B次元官网网址淚 want to live this intensely because the Argentine people need this happiness.B次元官网网址�
By mid-afternoon, fans started filling up Plaza de Mayo in front of Government House, amid rumors the players might go there for a reprise of the festivities for ArgentinaB次元官网网址檚 1986 World Cup victory, although no one knew for certain.
Fern谩ndezB次元官网网址檚 administration had offered the palatial mansion, popularly known as the Casa Rosada, or Pink House, according to Security Minister An铆bal Fern谩ndez. There were no plans for Fern谩ndez, nor any other officials of his unpopular government, to participate in the celebrations.
Thousands of fans had lined up before dawn to welcome the team home from Qatar.
The players were beaming as they descended from their plane in Ezeiza, outside ArgentinaB次元官网网址檚 capital, shortly before 3 a.m. onto a red carpet. Messi was the first one out, carrying the World Cup trophy, flanked by coach Lionel Scaloni, who put his arm around the captain as they walked past a sign that read, B次元官网网址淭hank you, champions.B次元官网网址�
The team was welcomed by rock band La Mosca singing B次元官网网址淢uchachos,B次元官网网址� and several players, including Messi, could be seen singing the words as they boarded the bus taking them to the Argentine Football Association headquarters.
It took the bus an hour to travel the 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from the airport to AFA headquarters, where the players were welcomed with fireworks, and then spent the night. In the morning, Messi posted a photo on social media showing him hugging the World Cup trophy next to him while he slept.
Before the teamB次元官网网址檚 arrival, many had kept a close eye on the flight bringing the players home. As the plane got closer to Argentine soil, almost 200,000 people were tracking its path online and news channels gave live coverage of the arrival.
Several players posted photos of the plane ride on social media. In one, Nicol谩s Tagliafico posted an image of the World Cup trophy buckled into an airplane seat as if it were just another passenger.
Fern谩ndez retweeted several messages of congratulations from other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
B次元官网网址淭hank you for this greeting President Putin,B次元官网网址� Fern谩ndez wrote on Twitter after a telephone call with the Russian leader. B次元官网网址淟et the happiness that today unites Argentina with so many countries in the world serve as an example: Our societies need unity and peace.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址擠aniel Politi And Almudena Calatrava, The Associated Press
