The streets of Buenos Aires were filled with millions of people, from the city centre all the way out to the motorway, as they hoped to catch a glimpse of Argentina’s World Cup heroes.
Fans began pouring into the main streets around the iconic Obelisk monument from around 5am local time on Tuesday morning.
Some had even camped out overnight to secure a spot where they hoped to get the best view of Lionel Messi and his fellow world champions onboard an open-top bus.
Buenos Aires, however, quickly descended into an excited chaos, with about four millions fans descending on the Argentine capital.
This eventually meant the team were moved from the bus and on to helicopters due to safety concerns around the crowds.
The helicopters were then flown over the city in what the government described as an aerial parade.
Two women told me this was not only an important day for football but also for the country.
Another man told me simply: “Just look at my people, look at my country.”
He was so proud to hold up his football shirt with Maradona, the name of the Argentinian football icon and 1986 World Cup winner, written on the back.
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Pic: AP
Standing in the crowds outside, one young man, after the parade was changed to a helicopter flyover, told me: “I feel good and bad. Good because we are champions of the world but it was my dream to see Messi – but it is what it is.
“I am a bit disappointed with the government because this was quite obvious to me that it was going to happen. Let’s hope they organise something else.”
It’s over 30C today and people will stay in the city until the early hours of the morning celebrating the team and a sport that is so deeply-rooted in their identity.
