
<p>The Argentina national team played its first game in front of home fans in Buenos Aires since <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/argentina-win-world-cup-in-one-of-the-classic-finals-of-all-time-20221218-WST-412674.html">winning the World Cup in Qatar</a>. That triumph was a long-awaited conquest for the South American nation. The last time <em>La Albiceleste </em>won the World Cup before 2022 was 1986.</p>



<p>Despite many of the fans in attendance not even being around for that win in 1986, the relief and sensation around El Monumental in Buenos Aires was palpable. Argentina hosted Panama to one of the most raucous crowds sporting sky blue and white in history. That, on its own, is saying something, given the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/6000-argentina-fans-banned-from-world-cup-stadiums-20221108-WST-407265.html">passion Argentina fans exhibited</a> during the actual World Cup in Qatar.</p>



<p>An announced attendance of over 83,000 packed into the home of River Plate. Before the game, the players emerged to fans chanting. That, along with the playing of the Argentina national anthem, moved players to tears. Even Lionel Messi, who is known for reserving emotion, seemed astounded by the experience. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lionel Messi in tears 😢<br><br>What a moment as Argentina welcomes back its World Cup winners. <a href="https://t.co/Pn9lHAw7uV">pic.twitter.com/Pn9lHAw7uV</a></p>— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1639046751511543808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>There was still a game to be played. Albeit a friendly, Argentina did win the game against Panama, 2-0. MLS talent Thiago Almada scored his first Argentina goal. Then, Lionel Messi capped off the celebratory evening with a <a href="https://twitter.com/TV_Publica/status/1639076095860285443" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">classic free kick goal</a>.</p>



<h2>Argentina fans get glimpse of World Cup trophy</h2>



<p>After the game, the celebrations continued. Both Messi and Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni spoke to fans about the achievement.</p>



<p>“I want to thank you all for the love and recognition that you have been receiving, not only after the World Cup but also for the Copa America,” Messi said to the 83,214 in attendance and watching at home. “We said that we were going to give it all for this trophy.”</p>



<p>But, perhaps the biggest takeaway from that scene is the fact that seemingly everyone in the stadium, including Messi’s teammates, bowed to him and chanted his name before his speech. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Declaraciones de Messi - Argentina 2-0 Panamá - Amistoso 2023" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YwbrMr-eh88?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>While the first game back in Argentina was always going to draw more attention and celebration, the national side’s tour around the country is not done. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fanatiz-to-broadcast-first-argentina-friendlies-since-world-cup-20230320-WST-423825.html">Argentina is playing two games</a>, including Thursday’s friendly against Panama, to commemorate its World Cup success. Similar celebrations are in store when Argentina hosts Curacao in Santiago del Estero on Tuesday, March 28.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


In the national team's first game back in Argentina, fans packed into the Monumental to celebrate the World Cup success in Qatar.

Boisterous Argentina fans celebrate World Cup in Buenos Aires


<p>The <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/argentina-national-team-tv-schedule/">Argentina</a> national soccer team arrived back home on Tuesday to enormous crowds in a World Cup parade. Following their <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 World Cup</a> win on Sunday, the South Americans finally made it back to Argentina.</p>



<p>Fans were not deterred by the arrival time of the team plane. Lionel Messi and company made it to the Buenos Aires airport just after two in the morning. The team was greeted by <a href="https:\/\/www.bbc.com/sport/football/64036207" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thousands of people</a> just waiting to catch a glimpse of the squad with the trophy.</p>



<p>However, the celebrations were only bigger from there. Argentina’s government declared a holiday for Tuesday as the team scheduled for a parade through the capital city. Many pundits and reporters assumed there would be massive crowds for the parade. However, scenes from the procession on Tuesday are quite frankly stunning.</p>



<p><em>TyC Sports</em>, a television channel based in Argentina, has reported that an estimated five million people went to the festivities.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">IMAGEN EN VIVO – Así está el micro a la altura del Mercado Central, sobre Autopista Riccheri. <a href="https:\/\/t.co/fplTiy6EHe">pic.twitter.com/fplTiy6EHe</a></p>— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/TyCSports/status/1605261670992859136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Other videos coming in from Argentina show just how packed the fans are at the celebration. Very little pavement from the city streets can even be seen from up above. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="EN VIVO - ⚪🔵⚪Seguí la caravana de los Campeones del Mundo ⚪🔵⚪" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/ji9a7fcPCPE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h2>Millions welcome Messi, Argentina home in World Cup parade</h2>



<p>Messi led Argentina in Qatar to their third ever World Cup title. It was the team’s first triumph in the competition in 36 years though. Diego Maradona previously led Argentina to the trophy in 1986. The legend’s ‘Hand of God’ goal went down as one of the most infamous moments in World Cup history that year.</p>



<p>The 2022 World Cup victory, however, now cements Messi’s legacy in the sport.  While many considered the 35-year-old playmaker the greatest player of all time even before this year’s tournament, Messi’s triumph in Qatar practically puts an end to the debate. He has now accomplished everything in his illustrious career.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Watch live: Jubilant scenes at Argentina&apos;s World Cup victory parade" width="500" height="281" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/nFCvJ-PL-f8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>While the parade on Tuesday attracted a huge amount of fans, celebrations inside Argentina will likely go on for weeks. The top flight league in the country does not start again until January 27th.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto</em></p>


Reports out of Argentina claim that an estimated five million people are at the World Cup winners parade in Buenos Aires.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Buenos Aires"

Argentina

Boisterous Argentina fans celebrate World Cup in Buenos Aires

Argentina

Millions greet Argentina World Cup champions in victory parade