IB2813 surged as the most searched flight this Monday, marking the fourth time in Flightradar24’s history that a charter flight topped the charts. Madrid welcomed a celebrated return, a moment that echoed across the city as a high-spirited tribute to Spain’s world champions. The scene in the capital highlighted the celebration’s bold energy, a contrast to recent political frictions that had dominated headlines.
The infamous moment involving the kiss incident still casts a long shadow, yet the Madrid welcome aimed to honor sport and achievement. The crowd’s excitement was palpable, and the atmosphere suggested a collective decision to focus on the triumph rather than the controversy that had followed the team. The aviation lull of jet lag faded quickly as the champions’ arrival drew a crowd that reflected the nation’s pride.
A sea of red flooded the T4 terminal at Adolfo Suárez-Barajas as the team touched down at 21:18 on a hot Madrid afternoon. Families and fans lined the gates, with children proudly wearing replica jerseys—the same designs Adidas has been promoting as part of the national team’s modern era of success.
Is it a crime for Rubiales to kiss Hermoso? Justice is difficult to prosecute if there are no complaints
Ana Ayuso, Cristina Gallardo
Ivana Andres, Vilda and Rubiales
As doors opened, the players prepared to receive the trophy with the Spanish flag in hand. The captain led the way, cozying up to the World Cup trophy while the media offered a first round of home applause. The moment captured the mood: relief, jubilation, and a sense of a long road traveled together. Media crews got their snaps as the champions stepped forward, medals glinting around their necks and smiles bright enough to light up the tarmac.
THEY ARE HERE NOW!!
⭐️ World champions. They’ve landed in Madrid and are heading toward the party everyone has waited for.
INTRODUCTION @La1_tvehttps://t.co/UQe8cIw34t and @TwitchES.
ℹ️ https://t.co/2ICN6QvB7C #PlayFightAndWin pic.twitter.com/OXVthlXdxk
— Spanish Women’s Football Team (@SEFutbolFem) 21 August 2023
Despite the absence of the national team bus, head coach Jorge Vilda remained in the lineup, his presence signaling continuity through the moment. The players, medals around their necks, greeted the crowd with broad smiles, a chorus of “World champions! World champions!” echoing as they posed for photos on the stairs. Their mood was buoyant, and the atmosphere reverberated with pride.
Alongside them were coach Jorge Vilda, captain Ivana Andrés and the federation president, who paused for photos with the trophy. The team’s leadership did not shrink from the spotlight, even as political debates swirled. In parallel, a government official insisted on accountability, calling for leadership changes related to harassment concerns.
Olga, stuck, Alexia, in silence
Faces tired from the journey from Sydney via Doha spoke of a long voyage, yet the mood remained buoyant as teammates stepped off the plane. A player carried a Galician flag, a display of regional pride within the wider national celebration.
The spoken emotion came through in messages shared on social media from friends and family, a personal reminder of the human side of victory. One post reflected the heartbreak of missing a loved one, and another spoke of turning loss into motivation for future triumphs. The public response was a mix of admiration and empathy, a testament to the team’s broader cultural impact.
Various family members posted tributes that underscored resilience, gratitude, and the sense that the triumph belonged to a larger community, not just the players on the field. The story of a daughter, a sister, a teammate, and a nation intertwined in a single moment of achievement.
The most poignant moment in the celebrations came when one player spoke of honoring those who were not present, a reminder that victories are built on a network of support that extends beyond the playing field. The team’s mood shifted from celebration to reflection, acknowledging the road ahead while savoring the success just achieved.
Vilda: “I want to remember those who were not there”
Upon exiting the aircraft, a young starlet among the group joined in, followed by teammates who stretched their legs and warmed up with a quick touch of the ball. The band of players moved toward a central celebration zone beside the river, a reachable distance from the historic stadium districts that have long hosted Madrid’s dramatic football nights.
DJ Michenlo sparked the mood, Camela’s timeless anthems filled the air, and the crowd danced along with veterans and newcomers alike. The party continued with additional performances and a chorus of cheers from more than twenty thousand supporters who braved the heat to celebrate a sport’s significant milestone.
Jorge Vilda reminded everyone of those who could not be there, a gentle note that connected the triumph to a broader narrative. Ivana Andrés spoke next, offering thanks and setting a forward-looking tone while the Madrid Río setting offered a symbolic backdrop for a moment of national pride that transcended the sport.
“Thank you for being our references”
Thirteen years after the men’s world championship in 2010, Spain’s women’s team joined a historic club by becoming champions of the women’s game. The couple of generations of players were celebrated not as outliers but as catalysts who moved the sport toward greater professional recognition. The prospect of future triumphs beckoned, inviting fans to dream of more magical nights.
‘You’ll never get Gibraltar back’: Beer, regret and pride in the Rock in World Cup final
Roberto Becares
The Madrid Río display carried a common message of gratitude and admiration. Posters and banners proclaimed the team’s role as a growing symbol of inclusion and progress for women in sport. The celebration looked beyond the moment of victory, signaling a commitment to ongoing development and the professionalization of women’s football in Spain.
The focus now shifts to the road ahead: sustained effort, league expansion, and continued investment in national programs that can carry this momentum forward. The next chapters will determine how deeply this triumph reshapes the sport across the country and into neighboring regions, inspiring fans and young athletes alike.