Members of the team, led by captain Lionel Messi, were all smiles as they descended from the plane in Ezeiza, outside Argentina’s capital, shortly before 3am on Tuesday, on to a red carpet that had been rolled out for the squad.
The bus moved at a snail’s pace as fans, many of whom were waving Argentine flags, swarmed towards it, eager for a glimpse of the players as law enforcement officers tried to keep them at bay.
The players will sleep at AFA headquarters for a few hours before boarding the bus later that will take them to the Obelisk, the Buenos Aires landmark that was a sea of people on Sunday after the team won the country’s third World Cup, and its first since 1986.
President Alberto Fernandez declared a national holiday on Tuesday so the country could celebrate the victory.
Almost 200,000 people were tracking the plane carrying the players online and news channels gave live coverage of the arrival.
In the afternoon, people started arriving at the airport and outside the AFA headquarters in the hope of getting a glimpse of the team.
Many were also already at the Obelisk, seemingly ready to spend the night there to ensure a prime spot for Tuesday’s festivities.
. Argentina players arrive after landing at Ezeiza airport on the outskirts of Buenos Aires
Players of the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup arrive to the training grounds where they will spend the night after landing at Ezeiza airport on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Photo: Matilde Campodonico
. Captain Lionel Messi, send from left, sits with Angel de Maria, second from right, and Nicolas Otamendi, right
Captain Lionel Messi, send from left, sits with Angel de Maria, second from right, and Nicolas Otamendi, right, atop of a bus driving the players from the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup after they landed at Ezeiza airport on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Photo: Rodrigo Abd
5. Argentina's supporters cheer Argentina's players as they drive past
Argentina's supporters cheer Argentina's players as they drive past on board a bus celebrating after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament as they leave Ezeiza International Airport en route to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training centre in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. (Photo by Emiliano Lasalvia / AFP) (Photo by EMILIANO LASALVIA/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: EMILIANO LASALVIA
6. Fans showed their support for the national team
The players were welcomed by rock band La Mosca singing Muchachos, a song that was written by a fan to the tune of an old song by the band, and became a popular unofficial anthem for Argentine fans at the World Cup in Qatar. Photo: TOMAS CUESTA
7. Crowds swell to greet their heroes
Argentina's players celebrating on board a bus with supporters after winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup tournament as they leave Ezeiza International Airport en route to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training centre in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Photo: TOMAS CUESTA
8. Argentina's supporters set off fireworks in celebration
Argentina's supporters greeted the players with a sea of colour and fireworks. Photo: TOMAS CUESTA