Spain’s World Cup victory set the streets of Madrid ablaze with excitement on Monday evening, as the new champions were honored with a lively open-top bus parade. According to local officials, an estimated two million enthusiastic fans turned out to partake in the celebration.
Amid the radiant sunshine, the triumphant players embarked on their celebratory journey. Some of them reveled shirtless while others clutched drinks, as they traversed the city’s main thoroughfares lined with red and yellow-clad supporters. The procession concluded at Cibeles Square, where the festivities carried on late into the night on stage.
Under the spotlight, the team and their coach, Luis de la Fuente, were welcomed individually by the crowd. Each player had their moment to shine, grooving to their chosen tunes while donning shirts emblazoned with “We are champions.”
In a recorded video message to the team and supporters, pop icon Shakira praised Spain, asserting that they exemplified unity by working “with one mind and one heart.”
Echoing this sentiment, Coach De la Fuente lauded his squad as the “best in the world,” reminding the audience that their strength lies in their unity, stating, “together we are stronger.”
After flying back from the United States to Madrid, the players were received by King Felipe VI and the royal family earlier Monday, and then Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, before kicking off the parade.
Players passed around the gleaming World Cup trophy and waved to their adoring supporters, some lining balconies, others on top of bus stops, the day after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra-time in New Jersey.
Ferran Torres’s strike in extra-time was enough to bring Spain their second World Cup, following a first victory in 2010.
“You have shown your grit, your resilience and your courage … combining head and heart,” the king told La Roja’s stars, who were dressed in suits but changed to more casual clothing for their parade on a hot summer’s day.
“Kings of the world” ran the words on the front of their vehicle, with fans chanting “champions” to their heroes.
Spain captain Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft at the top of the stairs as he descended from the Iberia plane that flew the team home after clinching their second star.
Later at Moncloa, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said this was the crowning achievement of his career.
“I’ve always said it, winning with your country is the most beautiful thing there is, above all a World Cup,” said Rodri.
“This generation grew up watching (Iker) Casillas and (Andres) Iniesta lift the cup and that we can do it today is the biggest thing you can do in football.”
Many younger supporters were not yet born when Iniesta’s extra-time goal against the Netherlands secured Spain’s first World Cup in South Africa 16 years ago.
“I’m really happy about the second star” Spain has earned, “very joyful,” said Hector Mollar, a 14-year-old student, who said he was able to see Torres, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino as the bus parade passed.
It is “very different” to live a day like today than to have someone tell you about it, Hector added.
Match-winner Torres joked he was “flying, literally” after the team returned from the United States after beating Argentina in New Jersey.