Spain's newly crowned World Cup champions were greeted by a million fans as the team arrived for the victory parade in Madrid.
The players, some shirtless, others holding drinks, set off on their procession along the main arteries in the city centre where a sea of fans in red and yellow were waiting, with the destination Cibeles square.
After flying back from the United States to Madrid, the players were received by King Felipe VI and the royal family, and then Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, before kicking off the parade.
“You have shown your grit, your resilience and your courage, always backed by your technical skill, your control and command of the game, combining head and heart,” the king told La Roja’s stars.
“Kings of the world” ran the words on the front of their vehicle, with fans chanting “champions” to their heroes.
Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday, secured by a Ferran Torres strike in extra-time, has sparked an outpouring of national pride in the football-mad country, whose only other World Cup triumph came in 2010.
Read moreSpain crowned world champions after extra-time thriller against Argentina
Spain captain Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft at the top of the stairs as he descended from the Iberia plane that flew the team home after clinching their second star.
Later at Moncloa, the Manchester City midfielder said this was the crowning achievement of his career.
“I’ve always said it, winning with your country is the most beautiful thing there is, above all a World Cup,” said Rodri.
“This generation grew up watching (Iker) Casillas and (Andres) Iniesta lift the cup and that we can do it today is the biggest thing you can do in football.”
Many younger supporters were not yet born when Andres Iniesta's extra-time goal against the Netherlands secured Spain's first World Cup in South Africa 16 years ago.
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On Monday morning, the Castellana, Madrid's main avenue, bore the marks of a boozy evening – the tarmac strewn with trash, beer cans and shards of glass.
Among the last remaining supporters, some slept with grins on their faces on the pavement or on benches, while others were still staggering home as cleaning crews worked from the early hours to prepare the route for tonight's party.
On a tragic note, a 13-year-old boy was killed around midnight in the town of Ciudad Rodrigo in the west, after a fountain crumbled under the weight of supporters who had climbed onto it to celebrate.
Spain’s women’s side won the World Cup in 2023, meaning for the first time a country has both trophies at the same time.
Read moreSpain crowned Women’s World Cup champions after beating England in historic win
In 2030, Spain will defend their crown on home soil, as one of the World Cup hosts along with Portugal and Morocco.
“It’s two for two,” said Sanchez, of Spain’s record in World Cup finals. “Why not dream of a third in 2030, especially with Spain as hosts?”
'All-time' kings
The Spanish press was running out of superlatives to describe its heroes after they overcame favourites France in the semi-finals before downing Argentina.
Read moreBrilliant Spain defeat toothless France to reach World Cup final
“The kings of all-time!” wrote Marca, celebrating a “second star that will now be stitched onto the Spanish jersey after yet another masterclass in collective play”.
Argentina, despite the presence of all-time great Lionel Messi, failed to create clear chances against Spain’s well-organised and more positive side in the final.
Messi had a sensational World Cup but drifted through the final like a ghost, shedding tears at the end.
Read moreMessi denied dream farewell as Argentina lose World Cup final to Spain
“The pain is immense, and it’s going to be hard for this wound to heal,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
In Madrid, tears also flowed on Monday night, but they were tears of joy.
(the broadcaster with AFP)
