Two million fans, according to the Government Delegation, filled the streets of Madrid to celebrate the Spanish national team's second World Cup. The open-top bus tour culminated in Plaza de Cibeles with 120,000 people.
The national team landed at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport at 14:25, an hour and a half later than scheduled. Captain Rodri Hernández was the first to set foot on solid ground, holding the trophy, under the watchful eyes of the media and the first fans gathered nearby.
After a brief rest at a hotel in the capital, the delegation headed to the Royal Palace, where King Felipe VI welcomed them shortly after 18:00. "It has been an epic triumph. You return somewhat battered, having taken some criticism, but what is all that compared to the joy of bringing the Cup home? You are all a stellar and legendary team," declared the monarch.
The route: from Moncloa to Cibeles
The next stop was the Palacio de la Moncloa, where the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, thanked the players for their presence and expressed a wish: "Why not, in 2030 dream that there are not two without three, especially since Spain will be the host country for the World Cup."
From there, around 20:00, the open-top bus began its journey through the streets of Princesa, Alberto Aguilera, Carranza, Sagasta, Génova, Goya, Serrano, Plaza de la Independencia, Puerta de Alcalá, Alfonso XII, and Montalbán. The Government Delegation estimated that two million people lined the route.
In Plaza de Cibeles, where the party started at 19:00 with musical performances, 120,000 people gathered, according to the same source. The players began to make their entrance at 22:10, introduced one by one. Among the crowd was the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida.
Emotion and remembrance in the speeches
Rodri, captain and MVP of the tournament, took the floor: "These lads here are amazing, and I don't know what else to say." He also remembered Ferran Torres, the final's goalscorer: "He has often been unfairly criticised and today he is a part of Spanish football history."
The coach, Luis de la Fuente, added: "We are lucky to have 26 fantastic people who are also the best in the world. It is an honour for me. Together we are stronger."
The central event concluded around 23:30 with a performance by singer Aitana, who sang 'Superestrella', the unofficial anthem of the team in this World Cup. Before that, a minute of silence was observed in memory of María Caamaño, the young woman who passed away from cancer and was present at the Euro 2024 celebration.
"These lads here are amazing, and I don't know what else to say" — Rodri Hernández, captain of the national team.
For Madrilenians who could not attend, the celebration was broadcast live on giant screens set up at various points around the city. On Monday, the team is scheduled to hold an institutional event at the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
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