Celebration in Madrid
The Spanish team, world champions after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final in New Jersey, returned to Madrid on Monday. A crowd estimated at almost two million people packed the streets to welcome them.
The squad of 26 players and the coaching staff met first with the Royal Family and then with the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.
“Give huge thanks to the coaches and players for the style of play, the effort and the victory,” declared Sánchez. “We really enjoyed watching them play.”
Afterwards, the team boarded an open-top bus for a noisy parade through the center of Madrid. The bus carried the motto “The stars shine together” and photos of the footballers. The players, wearing the World Cup trophy and T-shirts reading “We Are Champions,” danced and interacted with the fans.
Before the parade, coach Luis de la Fuente expressed:
“We have experienced it from the emotion and pride of representing a wonderful country with dedicated fans. We are full of joy.”
The tour started from the vicinity of the Moncloa Palace to the Plaza de Cibeles, where the authorities reported about 120,000 people for the ceremony. The players were introduced one by one with songs chosen by them. Álex Baena, on his 25th birthday, entered with the trophy.
Striker Borja Iglesias acted as DJ, and his teammates danced on stage. The singers Aitana, Ana Mena and Lola Índigo entertained the event. The ceremony culminated with the entire team raising the trophy again in front of the home crowd.
The celebrations were marred by the news that a 13-year-old minor lost his life in Salamanca after a fountain he had climbed with friends collapsed.
For many young fans, it is the first time they have seen the men’s team lift the trophy. Spain today is very different from the country of 2010, besieged by a debt crisis and unemployment of 20%. Now, the economy is growing, unemployment has been cut in half and separatist tensions have cooled.
The team received congratulations from the leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada, the co-organizers of the tournament.
