▲ World Cup victory celebration held in Madrid, Spain, on July 20.
Approximately 2 million people gathered in the Spanish capital of Madrid to give a passionate welcome to the men's national football team, which returned home with the World Cup trophy for the second time in history and the first in 16 years.
The enthusiastic welcome began as the team arrived at Madrid Airport on the afternoon of July 20 (local time).
Captain Rodri, wearing his winner's medal, stepped off the plane and held the trophy high. Hundreds of fans wearing team jerseys crowded the arrivals hall, waving Spanish flags and cheering.
As their first scheduled event, the team traveled to the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid to meet King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and the princesses. King Felipe VI praised the team, saying, "It was a magnificent victory."
The royal family had watched the final match in New Jersey, USA, in person.
The team then visited the Moncloa Palace, the Prime Minister's official residence, to meet with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
During the meeting, Rodri said, "Winning for your country is the most beautiful thing in the world," adding, "Our generation grew up watching Casillas and Iniesta lift the trophy (in 2010), and being able to do it ourselves today is the greatest thing for a football player."
The highlight of the welcome ceremony was the victory parade, which traveled from the Moncloa Palace to the Plaza de Cibeles in front of Madrid City Hall.
Madrid regional government officials estimated that approximately 1.8 million people gathered along the parade route.
Festivals celebrating the World Cup victory were held not only in the capital, Madrid, but across all of Spain.
In the province of Salamanca in northwestern Spain, a 13-year-old boy died after part of a fountain collapsed during celebrations around 12:30 a.m. on July 20.
The BBC reported that rescue teams also treated two other teenagers who were injured, including one child who was transported to a hospital with a suspected leg fracture.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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