Spain’s jubilant champions bring Madrid to a standstill with World Cup parade | OneFootball

Spain staged a jubilant homecoming in Madrid less than 24 hours after winning the World Cup in New York. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, more than two million lined the streets and 120,000 packed Cibeles for the finale.

To the soundtrack of Aitana’s Superestrella, Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Pau Cubarsí and team-mates led celebrations that mirrored their fearless football. This new Spain has connected with the country through victories and an unabashed sense of joy.

Before boarding an open-top bus, the squad visited the Royal Family at the Zarzuela Palace and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at Moncloa. The parade wound through the city to Cibeles, which became an open-air dancefloor.

A bill featuring Aitana, Lola Indigo, Viva Suecia, Arde Bogotá and Ana Mena underlined the scale of the party, while Borja Iglesias took a DJ role on the bus. Lamine and Nico danced in tandem, Luis de la Fuente cut loose and Pedri even kissed his head, before players later tossed the coach as he sang Quijote by Julio Iglesias.

Mikel Merino was hailed after vital goals against Portugal and Belgium, and the crowd serenaded Alex Baena on his birthday. An emotional captain, Rodri, praised a now immortal generation and highlighted Ferran Torres, saying he had been unfairly criticised and was now part of Spain’s football history.

De la Fuente thanked supporters, called his 26 players fantastic and the best in the world, and stressed the strength of the collective with his staff. The night closed with Rodri and Baena remembering María Caamaño, the 12-year-old whose fight with cancer inspired the team.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo