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A triumphal open-top bus parade of Argentina’s World Cup-winning soccer team was abandoned due to security concerns as some 4 million fans lined the streets of Buenos Aires, forcing the players to continue their tour in helicopters.
The head of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed that the players were unable to reach the central Obelisk monument as planned due to the size of the crowd.
Pictures also showed a fan jumping onto the bus from the overhead bridge, falling onto the overhead deck occupied by the Argentina players. A second fan tried to follow but dropped the bus, narrowly avoiding Lionel Messi as he fell backwards and into the crowd below.
The players were then transferred to helicopters to greet the crowds from the air.
A fan jumps into the bus from the overpass
(Getty)
The open-top bus was stopped as fans poured into the streets to celebrate Argentina’s first World Cup victory since 1986.
AFA chief Chiki Tapia tweeted: “We are not being allowed to say hello to all the people who were on the Obelisk.
An estimated 4 million fans celebrate in Buenos Aires
(Getty)
“The security agents who escorted us will not allow us to move forward. A thousand apologies on behalf of all championship players.”
Another statement from the organization read: “The players will end the celebrations by flying in a helicopter above the crowd of fans gathered in the city of Buenos Aires to celebrate the victory in Qatar.
“They made this decision after they became convinced that they could not continue to advance with a bus in the middle of the crowd.”
President Alberto Fernandez declared a national holiday on Tuesday for the country to celebrate the victory.
Lionel Messi and his teammates celebrate on the bus before being forced to leave the parade
(Reuters)
In the afternoon, fans began to arrive at the Buenos Aires airport and outside the AFA headquarters hoping to catch a glimpse of the team.
On the long flight from Qatar, Messi held the World Cup while Nicolas Tagliafico posted a picture of the trophy strapped to a seat.
Argentina fans celebrate in Buenos Aires
(Getty)
The World Cup and the team’s success have brought much-needed good news to a country that has been in economic decline for years, suffers from one of the highest inflation rates in the world and where nearly four in 10 people live in poverty.
Argentina fans gather on the highways during the homecoming parade on Tuesday
(AP)
Mr Fernandez retweeted several messages congratulating him on the World Cup victory from other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Thank you for this greeting, President Putin,” Fernandez wrote on Twitter after a phone call with the Russian leader.
Lionel Messi takes pictures with his phone while celebrating on the bus
(AFP/Getty)
“Let the happiness that today unites Argentina with so many countries in the world serve as an example: our societies need unity and peace.”
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