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BUENOS AIRES. — Lionel Messi and Argentina returned as heroes as they were greeted by thousands of football fans at Ezeiza International Airport after touching down in Buenos Aires following their stunning FIFA World Cup triumph.
World Cup winners Argentina were greeted by jubilant crowds at Buenos Aires airport and yesterday was declared a bank holiday in the country.
The squad, who defeated France in Sunday’s final, landed home at 02:24 local time (05:24 GMT) yesterday morning.
Fans lined the streets as they travelled on an open-top bus to their Football Association’s headquarters.
The main celebration was held at the capital city’s Obelisk monument at midday yesterday.
The Argentine government said the day would be a bank holiday so fans “can express their deepest joy for the national team”.
Messi led the team off the plane, which carried his picture on its tail.
Argentina led twice through goals from Messi and Angel Di Maria but with just minutes remaining in extra time France won a penalty — which Kylian Mbappe duly dispatched to take the final to a shoot-out where Emiliano Martinez’s brilliance in goal saw the Argentines emerge victorious Sunday.
The national team and the World Cup trophy, which they lifted for a third time Sunday, landed back in Argentina after a roughly 21-hour flight at around 2:20am local time yesterday morning.
As was only fitting, talisman Messi emerged from the plane first and lifted the World Cup trophy triumphantly into the air as he and head coach Lionel Scaloni stepped on to the airplane steps to greet the waiting fans.
Messi scored twice during the World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium, adding to his total haul of seven for the tournament and finally clinched the one trophy that had so far evaded him throughout his sensational career.
Scaloni, who had burst into tears after Gonzalo Montiel slotted home the winning penalty, wrapped an arm around his captain as the pair waved to those greeting them on the tarmac.
As soon as the players deplaned, they headed straight on to an open-top bus that had been waiting for them on the tarmac to take them to the Argentine Football Association’s headquarters. Messi was followed by his bleary-eyed teammates, including veteran Angel di Maria, whose strike had doubled Argentina’s initial lead.
Goalkeeper Martinez, whose dark arts during the penalty shoot-out sealed the victory, also received a warm welcome. — Mailonline
Online Reporter