Millions of fans pack Buenos Aires to celebrate Argentina's World Cup win

Ryan Young

Lionel Messi and Argentina returned to Buenos Aires on Tuesday to celebrate their World Cup win, and Argentines showed out.

Millions of fans packed the streets of the South American capital city on what was declared a national holiday to follow the soccer team on its 50-mile victory parade. Messi and others rode on an open-air bus that pushed its way through crowds of excited fans.

And after Argentina knocked off France in the World Cup final on Sunday in Qatar, claiming their third title in the country’s history, it’s easy to see why.

The team was greeted by a huge crowd at the airport when the victors landed, and the celebration was on.

At one point, presidential spokeswoman Gabriela Cerruti said on Twitter, the team was picked up by helicopters as it was impossible to keep going safely.

Some of the images that have come out of the parade are remarkable.

Argentina's players celebrate on board a bus with a sign reading
Argentina's players celebrate on board a bus with a sign reading "World Champions" with supporters after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup. (Tomas Cuesta/AFP/Getty Images) (TOMAS CUESTA via Getty Images)
Officials estimated that about five million people flocked to the streets in Buenos Aires to celebrate Argentina's World Cup win on Tuesday.
Officials estimated that about five million people flocked to the streets in Buenos Aires to celebrate Argentina's World Cup win on Tuesday. (Luis Robayo/AFP/Getty Images) (LUIS ROBAYO via Getty Images)
An aerial view of a massive crowd celebrating Argentina's World Cup win on Tuesday in Buenos Aires.
An aerial view of a massive crowd celebrating Argentina's World Cup win on Tuesday in Buenos Aires. (Martin Cossarini/Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Fans of Argentina wait for the bus
Fans of Argentina wait for the bus with Argentina's players to pass through the Obelisk to celebrate after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup on Tuesday. (Emiliano Lasalvia/AFP/Getty Images) (EMILIANO LASALVIA via Getty Images)
Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi celebrate on the bus during the arrival of the Argentina men's national football team after winning the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday
Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi celebrate on the bus during the arrival of the Argentina men's national football team after winning the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday. (Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images) (Rodrigo Valle via Getty Images)
Argentina's captain and forward Lionel Messi
The Argentina men's soccer team takes a selfie with fans while on their parade to celebrate their win at the World Cup. (Tomas Cuesta/AFP/Getty Images) (TOMAS CUESTA via Getty Images)

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