Argentine federal police reported on Tuesday that Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and coach Lionel Scaloni of the national soccer team of Argentina were forced to fly in a helicopter over the heart of Buenos Aires after their bus became stuck in the massive crowds gathered to witness the parade celebrating the country’s World Cup victory.
Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, the head of the Argentine Football Association, claimed on Tuesday that the bus was unable to move further because of the throngs gathering on the streets.
The entire squad boarded a vehicle at the offices of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and travelled to the Obelisk, a significant structure in the city.
The same security services that escorted us won’t permit us to go, according to Tapia. “They won’t let us go to greet all the people who were at the Obelisk.”
“A thousand apologies on behalf of all the champion players.”
According to a statement from the Buenos Aires municipal health ministry, a 24-year-old male was rushed to the Fernandez Hospital early on Monday after he suffered a brain injury after falling from a roof.
In the midst of the festivities this week, at least one person has passed away in Buenos Aires, according to a statement the city’s health ministry issued on Wednesday.
According to police, the players were flown over the Obelisk and other landmarks before being returned to the AFA training facility in Ezeiza, outside of Buenos Aires.
Four million people reportedly turned out to see the parade in Buenos Aires, according to the police and the state-run Télam news agency.
According to the Argentine publication InfoFunes, Messi and Angel Di Mara arrived by plane at Rosario’s regional airport before taking a helicopter back to their neighbourhoods in their home city of Rosario, Sante Fe province.
When Messi finally arrived at his home by car, he was met by a sizable gathering of supporters cheering for him and yelling “Dale Campeón, Dale Campeón”—”Let’s go champion.”
Scaloni and forward ngel Correa, who are both from Santa Fe, also took a late trip home, according to InfoFunes.
Argentina had made Tuesday a holiday after the team’s stunning triumph over France in a penalty shootout on Sunday in Qatar.
Following Argentina’s World Cup victory, many days of celebration continue with the team’s eagerly awaited homecoming.
In what has been hailed as the greatest World Cup final of all time, Messi and Kylian Mbappé squared battle on the field.
