World Cup 2022: Argentina Stars abandon Buenos Aires bus parade amid jubilant scenes
Argentina’s World Cup winners had to abandon an open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires and instead took a helicopter ride over the millions of ecstatic fans partying in the streets.
The squad showed off the trophy at the start of a planned eight-hour journey.
But the celebrations on packed roads became more chaotic, forcing a rethink.
“It was impossible to continue on the ground due to the explosion of joy,” tweeted presidential spokeswoman Gabriela Cerruti.
The Argentine government declared Tuesday would be a national holiday in the South American country after Lionel Messi and his team-mates beat France in Sunday’s final.
About four million people lined the streets of Buenos Aires, according to local estimates.
After arriving home from Qatar in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the players left the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training complex on a 20-mile journey to the centre of Buenos Aires at 11:45 local time (14:45 GMT).
The journey was supposed to finish at the capital city’s iconic Obelisk monument, where hundreds of thousands had gathered and created a party atmosphere, later that day.
But security forces would not let the bus continue to Plaza de la República – the public square where the Obelisk stands – after the celebrations became too chaotic.
“A thousand apologies on behalf of all of the champion players.[Such] a shame,” tweeted AFA president Chiqui Tapia.
One video on social media appeared to show a fan jumping onto the top deck of the bus carrying the players when it passed underneath a bridge.
