Spain’s FIFA World Cup-winning team received a hero’s welcome in Madrid on Monday after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. Thousands of fans lined the streets as the players celebrated with an open-top bus parade through the Spanish capital.
According to The Guardian, around 1.8 million fans gathered at Plaza de Cibeles to celebrate Spain’s historic victory. Before the parade, the squad met King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofía at the Zarzuela Palace. The players also visited Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Moncloa Palace.
Rodri calls World Cup victory the greatest achievement
Spain captain Rodri reflected on the team’s incredible journey and said winning the World Cup for his country was the biggest moment of his career.
“Winning for your country is the most beautiful thing there is,” Rodri said, according to The Guardian. “This generation grew up watching [Iker] Casillas and [Andrés] Iniesta lift the cup [in 2010] and having been able to do that today is the biggest thing you can do in football.”
Rodri was seen standing at the front of the team bus, proudly holding the World Cup trophy as fans cheered throughout the celebrations.
Spain secured the title after Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the final in the 106th minute against Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Before kick-off, the trophy was carried onto the field by tennis star Carlos Alcaraz and South Korean actress Jung Ho-yeon before it was presented to Spain after the match.
King Felipe praised the players for their achievement.
“It’s been a privilege and a joy for the four of us to see you play in the final and to be able to celebrate with you that moment of lifting the cup, with immense thanks from all of Spain.”
“You’ve suffered, you’ve come home bruised and tired, you’ve endured some criticism, but what is all that compared with the joy of bringing the cup home?” he added.
Meanwhile, FIFA has launched an investigation into the post-match clashes involving players from both teams after the final whistle.
