The celebrations of hundreds of thousands of fans who were waiting for the Argentine national team in Plaza de Mayo broke out shortly after 4:00 p.m. after the helicopters carrying the world champions flew over the area, while the images were transmitted through the giant screens set up in the place.
When an hour earlier, a rumor spread that the players would land at the Casa Rosadawhich was never officially confirmed, a human tide rushed from the Obelisk and the area of the 25 de Mayo highway and 9 de Julio avenue to Plaza de Mayo and surroundings, with the expectation of greeting the selected Qatar 2022 champion .
When the helicopters flew over the Plaza de Mayo, the screams of the fans eruptedwho chanted in unison “Give him a champion, give him a champion” and ran in the direction of the Casa Rosada.
Juan Cruz, 7, from the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Villa Lugano, assured Télam that he feels “very excited” since he saw that he could see Lionel Messi and that “it is the happiest day of his life”.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people continued to arrive, while asking “please” for the helicopter to “pass by Casa Rosada.”
From early in the morning, caravans of families and groups of friends walked the streets between Plaza de Mayo and the Obeliskwhere they hoped to see the champions “without losing hope” in one of these emblematic places in downtown Buenos Aires.
For hours, the fans remained under an overwhelming sun, which was only relieved by the jets of water, the dips in the fountains and the foam of the festivities.
The youngest, almost voiceless but with “great enthusiasm”, did not stop the typical songs that accompanied the entire World Cup and they all danced to the rhythm of “Muchachos…”.
“We went around a million times according to what they are saying, now I think we are going to stay at Casa Rosada waiting for them to come,” they told Télam Sol and Analía, who came to the festivities with their group of friends.
“We came from Villa del Parque in the morning with all the expectation to see them. We have been waiting for this for many years, it is a joy for us and we want to celebrate with them“, they assured.
The drink stalls and choripanes, which cost around 1,000 pesos, were filled with fans who toured the area covering their heads from the sun with hats, flags and cardboard.
“If I see Messi, I don’t know what I would do, I’m going to cry,” said Tiago (13) from Boedoaccompanied by his friends and his mother Camila, who added that they remained in the square because “it is the safest place for them to come.”
After noon and without accurate information, some families with children began to return to their homes “because of the tremendous heat it is” and willing to continue the day on television.
