SPAIN’S World Cup-winning football team returned home on Monday with an estimated 1.8 million people greeting the squad on the streets of Madrid.
The 26 players and their coaching staff met with King Felipe and Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, the day after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final in New York.
Sanchez said: “Thank you to the coaches and players for the style of play, the effort and the victory.”
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“We have truly enjoyed watching you play,” he added.
The squad then boarded an open-top bus for a parade through central Madrid.
Players — carrying the World Cup trophy and wearing shirts with the words Somos Campeones (We Are Champions) — danced and interacted with the fans along the route.
“It’s been an emotional and proud experience to represent a wonderful country with such passionate and devoted fans,” Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente said before the parade started.
“We are filled with joy,” he added.
The squad travelled down Madrid’s historic avenues from near the Moncloa Palace to Plaza Cibeles, where around 120,000 people were on hand to watch a ceremony.
Players were introduced one by one before entering the stage set up at the square.
Each picked the song to be played when they came in. with Alex Baena, celebrating his 25th birthday, entering with the World Cup trophy.
Coach De la Fuente was thrown into the air by his players after being introduced.
He was among those who sang along to the song being played for them.
Striker Borja Iglesias featured as a DJ at one point, with his teammates dancing on the stage.
The ceremony ended with the whole squad lifting the trophy again.
Fans had begun securing their spots late on Monday morning ahead of the team’s arrival, bringing umbrellas to protect against the sun and temperatures of up to 35C.
The men’s victory, combined with the Women’s World Cup won by Spain in 2023, makes the European nation the first to hold both titles simultaneously.
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