Two million people, according to data from the Government Delegation, followed the Spanish team's route through the streets of Madrid to celebrate their second World Cup, in a celebration that ended on a high note at the Plaza de Cibeles.
The recognition events began upon arrival at Madrid Barajas-Adolfo Suárez airport, around 2:25 PM, an hour and a half later than scheduled. Rodri Hernández, the captain, was the first to disembark, with the trophy in his hands.
The team was met on the tarmac by a bus emblazoned with the words 'Congratulations Champions', heading to a hotel in Madrid.
After a brief rest, the delegation was received by the Royal Family at La Zarzuela around 6:00 PM. "It has been an epic triumph. You return somewhat bruised, you have faced 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 King Felipe VI.
Next, Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government, awaited them at the Moncloa Palace, who thanked the players for their presence and wished, "why not, in 2030 dream that there are not two without three, and moreover, with Spain as host country of the World Cup."
From there, the members of the national squad completed a tour on an open-top bus that began at Moncloa around 8:00 PM and went 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 reported that two million fans had been along the route.
In a packed Plaza de Cibeles (120,000 people, according to the Government Delegation at that location), where the party had begun at 7:00 PM with musical performances and several surprises, the Spanish players began to make their entrance at 10:10 PM, presented one by one. The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, was also among the public.
"These guys here are the shit, and I don't know what else to say," declared Rodri, captain of the national team, who also said that Ferrán, the scorer in the final, "has often been unfairly criticized and today he is part of Spanish football history."
"We are fortunate to have 26 fantastic people who are also the best in the world. It is an honor for me. Together we are stronger," added Luis de la Fuente, the coach.
The main event of the celebration ended around 11:30 PM, after the performance by Spanish singer Aitana, who performed her song 'Superestrella', which has become the unofficial anthem of the team in this World Cup, and a tribute to María Caamaño, the young woman who recently passed away from cancer and was present at the Eurocup celebration in 2024.
Two million people took to the streets in Madrid to celebrate the triumph of the Spanish national team
The members of the national team completed a tour in an open-top bus that began in Moncloa and ended in Plaza de Cibeles
