World Cup winners Argentina played at home for the first time since winning the ultimate prize Qatar, as the fans left Lionel Messi in tears with their grand welcome for the team. Messi undoubtedly wrote history when he led Argentina to their third World Cup victory in Qatar last December, ending a 36-year wait for the trophy and realising one of his biggest dreams. Fans flocked to River Plate’s famed Stadium Monumental in Buenos Aires to celebrate and congratulate the champions as Lionel Scaloni’s men took the field for the first time since their triumph.
The events back home in Argentina were obviously out of control, and the Buenos Aires fiesta was all you would expect from the fervent South Americans in December after their team had triumphed over France in the final. As the squad arrived from Qatar the following morning at 4 am, the streets were still crowded, effectively creating an important parade before the actual ceremony.
An emotional Lionel Messi brings up 800th career goal in Panama win
Lionel Messi cut an absolutely emotional figure on the night as the La Albiceleste fans wildly welcomed their team back home. After winning the one trophy that had eluded him throughout his career, Messi was initially expected to end his international career, but he later made it clear that he would continue since he wanted to play as a ‘world champion’.
He was back in his homeland on Thursday night for the national side’s friendly match against Panama; their first game since the World Cup as world champions. Scaloni decided to add a pinch of irony to it as he picked the same team that defeated France on penalties in the final in Qatar, with Lionel Messi again serving as the captain. As fireworks went off, the crowd performed an exceptionally moving rendition of the national anthem, which had the PSG star in tears.
The entire team can be seen being overwhelmed by the response and greetings from their fans in a video from the game that has gone viral. While Messi was visibly moved and appeared to be on the verge of tears, other people, such as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, also appeared to be pretty overwhelmed.
Lionel Messi in tears ?
What a moment as Argentina welcomes back its World Cup winners. pic.twitter.com/Pn9lHAw7uV
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 23, 2023
As seen in the video, while the team waits in line to kick-off the game, crazed Argentina supporters can be seen giving Lionel Messi and company a standing ovation while yelling loud screams and praise. In addition to this, flares and pyrotechnics were also sent off as the over 80,000 people sang in unison at the top of their voices. The squad was surely moved to tears by this gesture.
Messi also signed-off the game in some style. Argentina defeated Panama 2-0 to win the friendly. Although it first appeared to be impossible to penetrate the Panama defense, Thiago Almada opened the scoring after a Messi free-kick rebounded off the crossbar. The PSG forward added a second, netting a goal with a free-kick in the 89th minute, bringing up his 800th career goal in some fashion.