Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates were flown into helicopters to finish the celebrations after the World Cup heroes were forced to abandon an open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires on Tuesday due to the influx of millions of jubilant supporters who paralyzed the city.
The path was entirely blocked by the massive crowd, which local media pegged at over four million people, preventing the players who won the World Cup final on Sunday from making their intended way to the central Obelisco monument.
What Happened?
With social media footage showing some fans trying to jump onto the team’s bus when it passed under a bridge, the scheduled eight-hour journey was cut short due to security fears. The players were transferred from their parade baus and into helicopters.
“The world champions are flying over the entire route in helicopters. Because it became impossible to continue on land due to the explosion of joy,” presidential spokeswoman Gabriela Cerruti wrote on Twitter.
Television images showed people all over the city, including those waiting around the Obelisco and on surrounding highways trying to catch a glimpse of their returning champions.
Lionel Messi had to be evacuated by helicopter at the Argentina World Cup parade after being swarmed by an estimated 4 million people 😳 pic.twitter.com/CHVmtwv4qn
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) December 21, 2022
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“It’s crazy, it’s incredible, it’s the best thing that can happen to you in life,” said 25-year-old metalworker Matias Gomez.
“It is an enormous joy to see all these happy people. All together, one with the other, holding hands, giving each other hugs, kisses. We are all one today.”
The government made Tuesday a national holiday to allow fans to celebrate the win.
“I celebrate how the people took to the streets to pay homage to our national team,” President Alberto Fernandez said in a post on Twitter.
“Millions of Argentines in the streets, in a uncommon December, which will remain forever in our hearts.”
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