Argentina’s World Cup winners have been greeted by thousands of fans in Buenos Aires – despite arriving home at 2am local time.
Lionel Scaloni’s side have flown back to the capital on a flight from Rome, with the party continuing on board. When they touched down at Ezeiza International Airport they had the nation’s media and packed crowds awaiting them ahead of a planned victory parade later in the day.
The World Cup final triumph over France on penalties following a 3-3 draw is now over 35 hours old. But celebrations in Argentina are showing no signs of slowing down, with news footage from Buenos Aires highlighting the passionate nature of the team’s supporters.
Argentina’s flight home was due to land at 2.17am local time, but that has not stopped fans lining the streets around the airport. Meanwhile, at one point, over 176,000 people were following the plane on a tracking app in the middle of the night.
When they touched down on the tarmac a bus with the words “World Champions”, three stars to signify Argentina’s third trophy, and images of the players celebrating was waiting for them.
Social media footage from the plane itself showed clearly that the party mood was not diminishing amid tiredness. Striker Lautaro Martinez was seen playing a giant drum while midfielder Enzo Fernandez accompanied him on a shaker to sing a song about the country’s footballing pedigree.
Another photo showed the players wearing sky blue sunglasses, T-shirts with the Argentina flag and three stars on and their winners’ medals. The World Cup was on board the plane and will be shown to fans on the bus tour later on Tuesday.
When they stepped off the plane, it was captain Lionel Messi and coach Scaloni who led the squad down the steps. Messi, wearing the Argentina team tracksuit and his long-awaited winners’ medal, held the World Cup aloft for the cameras.
The players climbed on board the awaiting coach, which then set off towards the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training centre. Later in the day, they will head back out on the bus for a full-blown victory parade around Buenos Aires.
There was one hiccup, with a serious accident only just averted. As the bus went around the streets, with five players, including Messi, almost colliding with an overhead cable as they sat at the back of the open top bus. Leandro Paredes only just ducked under in time, avoiding any damage but losing his cap.
The day will undoubtedly be Messi's, after the celebrations inside the Lusail Stadium were tarnished slightly by the Qatari organisers’ actions. Messi was forced to cover his Argentina shirt with a black and gold robe as he lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar.
Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar's tournament organising committee, has since tried to explain the decision, which has drawn widespread criticism. "It is a dress for an official occasion and worn for celebrations," he told BBC Sport. "This was a celebration of Messi.
"The World Cup had the opportunity to showcase to the world our Arab and Muslim culture. This was not about Qatar, it was a regional celebration. People from different walks of life were able to come, experience what was happening here and get to understand that we may not see eye to eye on everything, but we can still celebrate together."
The victory is Argentina's - but there is plenty of English connection to the squad. English-based players accounted for a quarter of minutes played at the World Cup - and a third of Argentina’s minutes (33 per cent) came from players who will be returning to England, such as Manchester City ’s Julian Alvarez, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez and Brighton ’s Alexis Mac Allister.
City sent 16 players to the finals including Alvarez, who, despite playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland at club level, starred with a four-goal contribution that Messi described as “spectacular”.
After Sunday’s triumph, Mac Allister labelled Messi as the best player in history. Asked what made the difference in the final, Brighton midfielder Mac Allister replied: “It is always Messi, it is always Messi. He is fantastic. I cannot explain in words what I am feeling now, I think this team gave everything on the pitch so I’m really happy for the result.”
He added to ITV Sport: “I think he is the best player in the world, the best player of all time. “He is amazing, he is a really nice guy, he is humble so he has everything to be the best player in history so it is amazing to share a dressing room with him and I’m very grateful.”
