Argentina’s soccer team, led by star Lionel Messi, arrived in Argentina early on Tuesday, where a cheering crowd greeted it after winning the World Cup against France in a dramatic final in Qatar.
Despite arriving at Buenos Aires’ main airport in the middle of the night, the players were expected by fans who continued to celebrate Sunday’s title. The Argentine government established a holiday on Tuesday to facilitate popular celebrations in the country.
“Shines, isn’t it? See you in a little while,” soccer player Alejandro Gomez said on social media, alongside a photo with the gold trophy in his hands, before the plane carrying the team landed on Argentine soil. Messi himself uploaded a photo from the plane holding the trophy, as did most of the champion squad.
The Argentine players will spend the next few hours in the facilities of the property that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) owns near the Ezeiza airport and at noon they will leave for the Obelisk, the emblematic monument of downtown Buenos Aires, to celebrate the world title with the fans, in an event that is expected to be massive.
Argentina beat the French team 4-2 on penalties after drawing 3-3 in a vibrant match that was listed by the press as one of the best finals in the history of the World Cup. Argentina’s goals were converted by Messi (2) and Angel Di Maria, while Kylian Mbappe scored all three of France’s goals.
Messi, 35, said that the final against France would be his last match in World Cups, although after the match he said he will probably play a few more games with the Albiceleste team.
The Argentines, who on Sunday took to the streets of all corners of the country after the conquest of their third World Cup, looked forward to the arrival of the team to continue with the celebrations.
