Dream with the World Cup
Argentina celebrated wildly after the long-awaited World Cup victory, a triumph that arrived 36 years after their previous title. The moment captured worldwide was the team lifting the trophy in a dramatic penalty shootout against France, sealing an unforgettable final match.
Images of the champions’ locker-room celebration circulated across continents, and Lionel Messi’s Instagram post quickly became a global talking point, earning millions of reactions as fans commemorated a historic achievement. With the World Cup trophy in hand, Messi shared a moment that underscored his status as a perennial standout, having earned the Golden Ball on multiple occasions and established himself as a defining player on the world stage.
Following the triumph, the national team, proudly nicknamed the Albiceleste, prepared to return home to a nation eager to celebrate. The team touched down in Buenos Aires at 02:20 local time to a hero’s welcome, greeted by tens of thousands of supporters lining the arrivals area with music and a red carpet. Messi led the group off the plane, stepping into a stadium-like reception as the crowd roared with pride. In recognition of the victory, the President declared a national holiday, inviting the country to share in the celebration.
Sneaky Cable
From the airport, the team boarded a private bus to tour the city at night, keeping a festive air alive for the fans who filled the streets. During the ride, several players rode on the roof of the vehicle, including Messi. A potentially dangerous moment occurred when a loose cable hung low near the route. The players, including Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolas Otamendi, Leandro Paredes, and Angel Di Maria, reacted quickly and avoided danger by bowing as the bus passed beneath the cable. The incident underscored the unpredictability of the celebrations and the need for quick, collective awareness in a crowded city environment. A baseball cap was observed dropping from a player’s head as a reminder of how easily a celebration can take an unexpected turn. After the late-night circuit, the team returned home to rest before the official parade scheduled for the following day.
This championship marked Argentina’s third World Cup title. The Albiceleste previously lifted the trophy in 1978, led by Mario Kempes, and again in 1986, when Diego Maradona steered the team to glory. Maradona’s iconic “Hand of God” moment occurred during the 1986 knockout rounds against England, a memory frequently recalled in discussions of the country’s World Cup history. In the subsequent tournament, Argentina advanced to the final again but finished as runners-up to Germany.
The arc of Roberto Ronaldo? No—this was a different chapter: the 2014 final against Germany ended in defeat for Argentina, but Lionel Messi later earned the tournament’s best player honors for his standout performance. In the years that followed, Messi continued to pursue personal milestones, adding seven goals and three assists to his record in World Cup play. At the same time, the six-time Ballon d’Or recipient indicated his intention to continue playing at both club and national levels, maintaining his commitment to Argentina’s footballing future.
Death of a Fan
Not all moments of euphoria translated into safety. A tragedy occurred when a 22-year-old fan died during the celebrations in Bahia Blanca, approximately 400 kilometers from Buenos Aires. Local reports described how the young man, riding a motorcycle draped in the national flag, lost his life after the flag became entangled with the vehicle’s steering mechanism. Investigations were ongoing, with authorities weighing multiple scenarios, including the possibility of oxygen deprivation as contributing factors to the fatality. The incident served as a sobering reminder of the risks that can accompany large, spontaneous celebrations.
The aftermath of the tragedy prompted inquiries from law enforcement and public safety officials, who emphasized the importance of crowd management and safe celebration practices during major nationwide events. The national mood remained celebratory in many respects, even as officials sought to understand and prevent such losses in the future.