Argentine team greets fans
The Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup title ride on top of an open bus during their homecoming parade in Buenos Aires
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Argentina Players Forced To Swap Bus For Helicopters After Millions Choke Buenos Aires — See Pictures
A parade to celebrate the Argentine World Cup champions was abruptly cut short as millions of people poured onto thoroughfares, highways and overpasses in a chaotic attempt to catch a glimpse of the national team that won one of the great World Cup finals of all time. The players had to abandon the open-air bus transporting them to Buenos Aires and board helicopters for a capital flyover that the government billed as an aerial parade.
By Analiza Pathak | Updated: December 21, 2022 3:48 AM IST
Fans welcome home the Argentina team
Team Captain Lionel Messi and the rest of the players waved at the massive crowd as they carried the World Cup trophy aloft after securing the country’s third title.
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Eight people injured in Parade
Toward nightfall, when most of the fans had already poured out of downtown Buenos Aires, there were isolated clashes between a few stragglers and law enforcemen. At least eight people were injured, according to local media reports.
Parade suspended shortly
The parade was suspended shortly after two people jumped from a bridge onto the open-top bus carrying the players. One made it inside the bus, the other fell onto the pavement.
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Argentina declares National holiday
Celebrating fans took over highways, avenues and the access routes into the capital as temperatures climbed to 30 degrees Celsius.Thousands had set up camp since early Tuesday morning at the Obelisk. The Argentine president declared a national holiday Tuesday so the country could celebrate the World Cup victory.
4 Million people were on the streets
The players were all smiles as they watched the multitudes hostling to get as close as possible to the bus. An estimated 4 million people were in the streets by Tuesday afternoon, according to local media citing police sources.
Coach Lionel Scaloni waves at fans
The bus had been moving at a snail’s pace for more than four hours through the throngs of humanity before the overland parade was cut short. Coach Lionel Scaloni waves during a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina.