Hundreds of people welcomed the stars of Argentina's national football team back to Argentina after their Copa América win.
Fans turned out in large numbers at the premises of the Argentine Football Association, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, to celebrate the championship victory against Colombia in Miami.
The players who returned to this country waved from a closed coach to the fans gathered outside the Ezeiza premises, 10 kilometres away from the international airport, though the bulk of the team stayed behind in the United States, including captain Lionel Messi.
“It was one hell of match, the guys left it all out there, they’re champions,” said one of the supporters who attended the celebrations to the press.
Argentines of all ages approached to cheer on, accompanied by drums and cymbals, the team which defeated the Colombian team 1-0 with a goal by striker Lautaro Martínez during extra time.
Ángel Di María was the talk of all those present. The forward has confirmed that Sunday’s was his last match with Argentina. To the fans’ joy, Di María was among those who came back with the Argentine retinue.
“[Di María] Stay please, if you can, if you want to, if you feel it,” said one Argentine fan on television.
The commercial aspect was present on the site as well, where salespeople abounded offering national team shirts, hats, flags and stickers of the team and others selling memorabilia of the deceased Diego Maradona.
“Messimania” was also present and one of the most iconic sights was a man wearing a giant Messi mask who offered photos in exchange for “a contribution."
Early on Monday thousands of Argentines gathered to celebrate the triumph around the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, the epicentre of the celebrations in the city centre.
The party ended abruptly when after over four hours of celebrations the police intervened with water cannon trucks and infantry officers cleared the streets when there were still hundreds of people gathered there, which caused runs.
The Copa América final was also besmirched with controversy hours before the match when there were severe incidents with supporters who intended to enter the Hard Rock Stadium without a ticket, which delayed the start of the match by 80 minutes.
– TIMES/AFP
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