MADRID, Spain – Spain’s World Cup winners partied through the night on Monday after parading through Madrid in front of an estimated 2 million fans who packed the streets to celebrate their country’s second world title.

The players travelled on an open-top bus through the city centre, drinking and waving to supporters dressed in red and yellow who lined the streets, balconies and even climbed on top of bus stops to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

The celebrations kicked off after the squad met with King Felipe VI and the royal family, followed by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, earlier in the day. The team had flown back from the United States after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra-time in New Jersey on Sunday night.

From royalty to the streets

Manchester City midfielder Rodri held the trophy high as he stepped off the Iberia plane at Madrid airport, a day after lifting it at the final whistle. He later told reporters that winning the World Cup topped everything in his career.

“I’ve always said it, winning with your country is the most beautiful thing there is, above all a World Cup,” Rodri said. “This generation grew up watching Casillas and Iniesta lift the cup and that we can do it today is the biggest thing you can do in football.”

The king told the suited players they had shown “grit, resilience and courage” before they changed into casual clothes for the parade under the blazing summer sun.

Cibeles square erupts in celebration

The bus rolled through Madrid’s main streets before arriving at Cibeles square, where thousands had waited for hours. Each player was introduced individually to the crowd, walking out to their chosen song while wearing “We are champions” shirts.

Coach Luis de la Fuente urged fans not to forget that “together we are stronger” as he praised his squad as the “best in the world”. The players later lifted their coach into the air as the party stretched into the night.

Pop star Shakira sent a video message telling the team they had “showed the world what it is to work together, with one mind and one heart”

New generation witnesses history

Ferran Torres’s extra-time goal sealed Spain’s second World Cup, 16 years after their first triumph in South Africa in 2010. Many young fans celebrating on Monday weren’t even born when Andres Iniesta scored against the Netherlands to win that tournament.

Hector Mollar (14), a student who watched the parade, said he spotted Torres, teenage star Lamine Yamal and Arsenal’s Mikel Merino as the bus passed. “I’m really happy about the second star. It’s very different to live a day like today than to have someone tell you about it,” he said.

Spain’s women’s team won the World Cup in 2023, making Spain the first country to hold both trophies at the same time. The men’s team will defend their crown on home soil in 2030 when Spain co-hosts the tournament with Portugal and Morocco.

“It’s two for two,” Sanchez said, referring to Spain’s perfect record in World Cup finals. “Why not dream of a third in 2030, especially with Spain as hosts?”

Argentina’s Lionel Messi had a quiet final despite a strong tournament overall. The all-time great wrote on Instagram after the match that “the pain is immense, and it’s going to be hard for this wound to heal” before congratulating Spain.

In Madrid on Monday night, there were also tears, but they were tears of joy.

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