New World Cup champions Spain enjoyed a bus-packed celebration on the streets of Madrid on Monday evening, with an estimated two million cheering crowds turning out to celebrate, according to local authorities.
These players, some without clothes, some with drinks, left in their procession under the hot sun, along the main arteries in the center of the city where a sea of fans dressed in red and yellow were waiting, before they arrived at the Cibeles square where they got on stage and partied until the evening.
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The team and coach Luis de la Fuente were introduced one by one to the fans, each with their own music to sing along to, wearing “We are champions” shirts.
“(Spain) showed the world what it is to work together, with one mind and one heart,” said pop star Shakira in a video message played to the band and crowd.
De la Fuente gave a similar message, hailing his players as “the best in the world” and telling fans not to forget that “together we are strong”.
After flying from the United States to Madrid, the players were welcomed by King Felipe VI and the royal family early Monday, as well as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, before the start of the show.
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The players passed the glittering World Cup trophy and waved to their adoring fans, some on balconies, others on top of bus stops, the next day they beat Argentina 1-0 in overtime in New Jersey.
Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike was enough to give Spain their second World Cup, following their first win in 2010.
“You have shown your anger, your resilience and your courage… putting your head and heart together,” the king told the La Roja stars, who wore suits but changed into casual clothes for their show on a hot summer day.
The “Kings of the World” shouted out the words from the front of their car, the fans chanting “champions” to their heroes.
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Spain captain Rodri lifted the World Cup trophy to the top of the stairs as he got off the Iberia flight home after winning the second star.
Later in Moncloa, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said this was the biggest achievement of his career.
“I have always said that winning with your country is a better thing than the whole World Cup,” said Rodri.
“This generation grew up watching (Iker) Casillas and (Andres) Iniesta lift the trophy and what we can do today is the biggest thing you can do in football.”
Many young fans weren’t even born when Iniesta’s extra-time goal against the Netherlands gave Spain their first World Cup in South Africa in 16 years.
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“I’m very happy with the second star” won by Spain, “I’m very happy,” said Hector Mollar, a 14-year-old student, who was able to see Torres, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino as the bus parade passed by.
“It’s very different” to live a day like today than someone telling you about it, Hector added.
Game-winner Torres joked he was “flying, really” after the team returned from the United States after defeating Argentina in New Jersey.
– Party of Cibeles –
The bus parade of Spain’s World Cup winners started in Moncloa before heading towards Cibeles square, the usual venue for the team’s celebrations, where crowds of fans reserved their seats hours in advance.
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The Spanish women’s team won the World Cup in 2023, which means that it is the first time that the country has held both of these trophies at the same time.
In 2030, the Spanish men’s team will defend its title at home, as one of the hosts of the World Cup along with Portugal and Morocco.
“Two out of two,” said Prime Minister Sanchez, of Spain’s record in the World Cup finals. “Why not dream of a third in 2030, especially with Spain as hosts?”
Argentina, despite the presence of star player Lionel Messi, failed to create clear-cut chances against a well-organized and well-rounded Spain team in Sunday’s final.
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Messi had an amazing World Cup but went to the final like a ghost, shedding tears at the end.
“The pain is great, and it will be difficult for us to heal this wound,” Messi wrote on Instagram, continuing to congratulate La Roja.
In Madrid, tears also flowed on Monday night, but they were tears of joy.
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