New World Cup champions Spain enjoyed a vibrant night of celebrations after an open-top bus parade through the streets of Madrid on Monday in front of a jubilant crowd of an estimated two million people. The players enjoyed drinks on their procession under a blazing sun, along the main arteries in the city centre where a sea of fans in red and yellow were waiting, before arriving at Cibeles square where they took to the stage and partied into the night.
The squad and coach Luis de la Fuente were introduced one by one to the fans, each with their own choice of music that they sung along to, wearing "We are champions" shirts. Pop superstar Shakira sent a video message to the team and crowd, praising Spain's unity. De la Fuente hailed his players as the "best in the world" and emphasized the strength of togetherness.
After flying back from the United States to Madrid, the players were received by King Felipe VI and the royal family, and then Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, before kicking off the parade. Players passed around the gleaming World Cup trophy and waved to their adoring supporters, some lining balconies, others on top of bus stops.
Ferran Torres's strike in extra-time was enough to bring Spain their second World Cup, following a first victory in 2010. "Kings of the world" ran the words on the front of their vehicle, with fans chanting "champions" to their heroes. Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft at the top of the stairs as he descended from the Iberia plane that flew the team home after clinching their second star.
Spain's women's side also won the World Cup in 2023, meaning for the first time a country has both trophies at the same time. In 2030, Spain's men's side will defend their crown on home soil, as one of the World Cup hosts along with Portugal and Morocco.
