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Almeida welcomes the national team at Cibeles and takes a jab at Álex Baena

Almeida welcomes the national team at Cibeles and jokes with Baena and Cucurella during the World Cup celebration.

Nahuel OrtegaNahuel Ortega· · 3 min read

The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has welcomed the Spanish national team at Cibeles Square to celebrate the World Cup. During the wait, he sent a message to Álex Baena and praised Marc Cucurella.

The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, was one of the first to greet the Spanish national team upon their arrival at Cibeles Square to celebrate their second World Cup in history. In a festive atmosphere, the mayor spoke to the media while waiting for the champions' bus, leaving several remarks for the footballers.

A message for Álex Baena

Among the key figures, Almeida had a special mention for Álex Baena, the young talent from Villarreal. With his characteristic light-hearted tone, the mayor joked about the player's impressive achievements:

Someone should tell Baena that he just needs the Champions League
Indeed, the footballer has already won an Olympic Games, a World Cup, and a European Championship, something not everyone can achieve. The message, although humorous, reflects the mayor's admiration for the young player's career.

Praise for Cucurella and a nod to the future

Another notable name was Marc Cucurella, Chelsea's left-back and a key player in Luis de la Fuente's scheme. Almeida highlighted his quality as a footballer, but especially his importance in the dressing room:

He's not just a good footballer, but he seems to create a great team spirit, and those people are really valuable
The mayor, a confessed supporter of Atlético de Madrid, couldn't resist a nod when asked if he would like to see Cucurella more often in the capital. With a smile, he replied:
I'll also see him around here, I'm sure I'll see him around here
A statement that has fueled rumours about a possible signing of the player by the red-and-white team, although there is no official confirmation.

A historic celebration

The Spanish national team paraded through the streets of Madrid on an open-top bus, packed with fans who wanted to pay tribute to the world champions. Almeida, who followed the parade from Cibeles, encouraged all Madrilenians to enjoy a unique moment:

We all need to enjoy this historic celebration
The atmosphere was one of maximum euphoria, with chants and flags waving at every corner. For the residents of the Community of Madrid, the arrival of the bus at Cibeles was the highlight of a day that will be etched in collective memory.

The celebration continued with an institutional event at the City Hall, where the players received an official tribute. Almeida, who acted as host, took the opportunity to assert Madrid's role as the epicentre of world sport. Meanwhile, fans are eagerly awaiting the national team's next challenges, with their sights set on the next major international tournament.

Nahuel Ortega

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Nahuel Ortega

Redactor

Periodismo por la Complutense y carné de sufridor futbolero desde niño. Ríe con el motor, llora con las remontadas y jura ser imparcial entre Madrid y Atlético (no cuela); narra el deporte de la región.