Less than 24 hours after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the World Cup final in New Jersey, Luis de la Fuente’s squad arrived back in the Spanish capital with the trophy that had last been paraded on home soil following Spain’s first World Cup triumph in 2010. Ferran Torres’s extra-time winner secured the country’s second men’s World Cup title, while Spain also became the first nation ever to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup trophies simultaneously following the women’s victory in 2023. ALSO READ: Spain crowned World Cup champions after extra-time triumph over Argentina.
The celebrations unfolded in several stages, beginning at Madrid-Barajas Airport before continuing with visits to the Royal Palace at Zarzuela and the Moncloa Palace, culminating in an emotional victory parade and celebrations at the Plaza de Cibeles.
Heroes arrive at Barajas Airport
The celebrations began the moment the Iberia aircraft carrying the champions touched down in Madrid.
Captain Rodri emerged first from the aircraft, proudly holding the World Cup trophy aloft at the top of the stairs before descending onto Spanish soil. The midfielder described lifting the World Cup with Spain as the greatest 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,’ Rodri said. ‘This generation grew up watching (Iker) Casillas and (Andrés) Iniesta lift the cup and that we can do it today is the biggest thing you can do in football.’
For many younger supporters, this was the first opportunity to witness a men’s World Cup-winning team in person, with Spain’s previous triumph having come 16 years earlier in South Africa.
Ferran Torres, whose extra-time goal secured the title against Argentina, admitted he was still struggling to take it all in.
‘I’m flying, literally,’ the match-winner joked after returning from the United States.
Royal reception at Zarzuela Palace
The players’ first official engagement was a reception at Zarzuela Palace, where they were welcomed by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía, less than a day after the royal family had celebrated alongside the squad following the final in New Jersey.
Congratulating the players, King Felipe praised both their football and their character.
‘It has been an epic triumph,’ said the king. ‘You’ve won with style. When Spain plays, we’re all in it. You’ve fought hard, with both your heads and your hearts, and you’ve done it.’
Addressing the squad again, he added: ‘You have shown your grit, your resilience and your courage… combining head and heart.’
Prime Minister dreams of a third title
From Zarzuela, the team travelled to the Moncloa Palace, where Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the champions and thanked them for bringing joy to the nation.
‘I would like to give immense thanks to the staff and the players for your playing (style), effort and victory,’ Sánchez told the squad.
‘Thank you to the coaches and players for the style of play, the effort and the victory. We have truly enjoyed watching you play.’
Looking ahead to the future, Sánchez noted Spain’s perfect record in World Cup finals and expressed hope that the team could complete a remarkable hat-trick when the country co-hosts the tournament alongside Portugal and Morocco in 2030.
‘It’s two for two,’ he said. ‘Why not dream of a third in 2030, especially with Spain as hosts?’
In a similar vein, he added: ‘Why not assume that good things come in threes?’ ALSO READ: Trump and Sánchez put aside diplomatic tensions as Spain celebrates World Cup triumph.
Coach Luis de la Fuente thanked the prime minister for the invitation and reflected on the team’s achievement.
‘Thank you for inviting us. We have experienced this with the pride that comes from representing a wonderful country. Everything is easier when you have a squad of exemplary players. They are, without a doubt, the best team in the world. They have that confidence that they will never lose.’
He also told supporters: ‘It’s been an emotional and proud experience to represent a wonderful country with such passionate and devoted fans. We are filled with joy.’
Millions line Madrid’s streets
The day’s centrepiece came with a spectacular open-top bus parade through the heart of Madrid.
The bus carried different slogans including ‘Kings of the World’, ‘Stars shine together’, and ‘We are champions’, while two large stars symbolising Spain’s two World Cup triumphs decorated the vehicle.
Escorted by mounted police, the bus travelled for more than two hours from Moncloa through the capital’s main avenues towards the Plaza de Cibeles as supporters packed streets, balconies, bus shelters and rooftops to catch a glimpse of the players.
Many fans wore Spain shirts or waved red-and-yellow national flags, while temperatures reached around 35C. Some supporters had arrived early in the morning to secure places along the route, carrying umbrellas to shield themselves from the intense sun.
The players, dressed in commemorative “‘We are champions’ shirts – although a few celebrated shirtless – waved constantly to supporters, passed the World Cup trophy among themselves and even threw footballs into the crowd. Ferran Torres sported a red baseball cap reading ‘Make Spain Great Again’ during the celebrations.
One of the parade’s liveliest moments came when striker Borja Iglesias took over DJ duties on the top deck of the bus, entertaining teammates and supporters alike as music echoed through Madrid’s streets.
Celebration at Cibeles
The parade concluded at Madrid’s iconic Plaza de Cibeles, where more than 120,000 supporters had gathered for the final celebration.
Players were introduced individually onto the stage, each choosing their own entrance music. Álex Baena, celebrating his 25th birthday, carried the World Cup trophy onto the stage before the squad posed together for photographs.
Rodri once again lifted the trophy high above his head to thunderous applause, recreating the moment from the awards ceremony in New Jersey.
The evening featured live performances from singers Aitana, Ana Mena and Lola Índigo, while Colombian superstar Shakira delivered a recorded message praising the champions.
‘(Spain) showed the world what it is to work together, with one mind and one heart,’ she said.
De la Fuente echoed that sentiment, describing his players as the ‘best in the world’ and reminding supporters that ‘together we are stronger’.
The celebrations reached another emotional peak when the players hoisted their coach into the air (main image), while the squad sang and danced together before lifting the World Cup trophy once more in front of their home supporters.
A nation celebrates
Spain’s victory sparked celebrations across the country immediately after Sunday’s final whistle, with thousands flooding Madrid’s Puerta del Sol and other major squares, singing, dancing, setting off flares and sounding car horns well into the early hours.
For many Spaniards, the triumph carried added significance beyond football. The country that lifted its first World Cup in 2010 was grappling with economic crisis, soaring unemployment and heightened regional tensions. Sixteen years later, Spain enjoys a stronger economy, lower unemployment and a calmer political climate, making the celebrations feel like a reflection of a nation in a very different place.
However, amid the celebrations came one note of tragedy. Authorities reported that a 13-year-old boy in Salamanca died after a fountain he had climbed with friends during victory celebrations collapsed. ALSO READ: World Cup joy turns to tragedy in Salamanca after fountain collapse kills teenager.
Argentina left heartbroken
Spain’s disciplined, organised and positive display proved too much for Lionel Messi’s Argentina in New Jersey, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in extra time after the South Americans struggled to create clear opportunities despite Messi’s presence.
Following the defeat, an emotional Messi wrote on Instagram: ‘The pain is immense, and it’s going to be hard for this wound to heal,’ while also congratulating Spain on their achievement.
Sunday’s trophy presentation also attracted attention after US President Donald Trump remained on the winners’ podium as Spain lifted the World Cup. Images later released by FIFA and photographs shared by the Spanish national team appeared to crop the president almost entirely out of the celebrations, with only the edge of his suit visible in some official pictures. Trump had also been booed by sections of the crowd during the final.
For Spain, however, Monday belonged entirely to the players and their supporters. From Barajas Airport to the steps of Cibeles, millions celebrated a team that had once again conquered the world and now dreams of defending its title on home soil in 2030.
