News Desk
ISLAMABAD/ BUENOS AIRES: A flight carrying the FIFA World Cup 2022 champions touched down at the Ezeiza airport in the capital Buenos Aires early on Tuesday morning, only to be received by thousands of jubilant fans who gave them a rousing and hero’s welcome.
As soon as the plane carrying Lionel Messi and his FIFA World Cup 2022 winning teammates touched down the Ezeiza airport, thousands of cheering, jeering and jubilant crowd welcomed them before escorting them in the shape of a caravan as the double-decker bus carrying the players moved at a snail’s pace.
The equally jubilant, beaming and proud players responded to their fans and the crowd by waving their hands and readily posing for photographs.
The Argentine capital has been in full celebration mode since their team’s thrilling victory over France in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final on Sunday in Qatar, giving the nation its first World Cup triumph since Diego Maradona lifted the trophy 36 years ago in 1986.
FIFA World Cup 2022 champions
The FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy was alternately held aloft by the players while they wore their gold winners’ medals around their necks. The players waved to the crowd from an open-top bus as thousands of cellphone lights sparkled and flags fluttered in the background.
As the bus slowly made its way through the crowd, happy spectators sang along to the drumbeat and fireworks illuminated the night sky. Numerous people followed the state-owned Aerolineas Argentinas AR1915 plane all the way from Doha to Rome.
The players are anticipated to arrive at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) facilities close to the airport for a few hours before leaving at noon for the enormous Obeliso monument in the city’s heart, where tens of thousands are anticipated to congregate.
After a thrilling 3-3 draw, Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties, with Messi scoring twice and Kylian Mbappe scoring three goals for France.
Messi, 35, declared that the FIFA World Cup 2022 final would be his final game even though he plans to play a few more times for his country.
Messi’s jersey ready
After ending Argentina’s 36-year wait to lift the golden trophy once more, manager Lionel Scaloni said he would keep Messi’s jersey available if the talismanic captain wishes to compete at the following FIFA World Cup.
Sunday’s match ended in a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes of breathtaking action, with Messi scoring twice in regulation and once more in the shootout as Argentina defeated France 4-2 in overtime.
Many people believed that Messi, 35, would never again wear Argentina’s renowned blue and white after finally realizing a lifetime goal by winning the biggest soccer prize. But after a short while, Messi said he had no immediate plans to stop representing his country.
His coach approved of the choice. At a press conference, Scaloni stated, “I believe we should keep the number 10 jersey ready for the next World Cup if he (Messi) feels like playing.”
He has earned the right to pursue any career path he chooses. He transmits incredible information to the rest of his team. I’ve never seen anyone in the changing rooms with such clout. According to Scaloni, after winning Copa America last year and defeating Brazil in the championship game, they began to believe they could beat anyone.
In a conversation with Messi after (we defeated) Brazil, Scaloni said, “(and explained) we had a big task in front of us, people from our country were starting to believe (in our chances at the World Cup), to hope, and pressure was rising. “I got a huge emotional lift when he said, ‘We have to keep going, nothing else matters,'” the author recalls. I understood that we were about to accomplish something significant.
