ASeen from the air, the Autobahn looks like a runway lit up as bright as day. But it is the connecting road between Ezeiza and Buenos Aires. That night, it shines in the glow of the headlights of tens of thousands of vehicles, which cause traffic chaos in the middle of the night because enthusiastic people can hardly wait for the world champions to arrive.
The suburb of Ezeiza is not only home to the major international airport of the Argentine capital, but also to the training center of the Argentine football association AFA. In normal times, this seclusion has its advantages, but now it becomes a problem. Here, a good hour’s drive from the gates of the metropolis, Lionel Messi and Co. usually prepare for major tournaments or home games of the national team. The airport and the AFA association site are about eleven kilometers apart. They become the first big challenge for the “Albiceleste” after their arrival.
A spectacle fit for a museum
The historic spectacle, which will one day be commemorated photographically and audiovisually in the museums of Argentine football, begins as people spot the lights of Aerolíneas Argentinas flight AR1915 in the night sky. Cheers, a deafening horn concert. “One team, one people, one dream” is written on the hull, next to it is the logo of the Argentinean oil and gas company YPF. There is no space here for socio-political messages like the Germans, instead there is a description of the mission’s goals in Qatar.
2:22 a.m. local time: Lionel Messi (with the trophy) and coach Lionel Scaloni have landed
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Image: EPA
It is exactly 2:22 a.m. local time on Tuesday night when the large tires of the Airbus 330 touch down on the runway. Half an hour later comes the moment everyone has been waiting for. At exactly 2.56am, Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni stand on the steps with the World Cup trophy in hand, showing the trophy to the delighted fans who have made it this far. Both don’t stay long and march straight across a specially laid out red carpet and through a specially erected winner’s gate in the direction of the double-decker bus. The chroniclers note: The World Cup trophy has finally arrived in Argentina for the third time after 1978 and 1986.
A white bus takes the world champions straight to the association’s premises, where the players are staying. There must have been emotional moments in the rooms. How much sweat was shed in the training center here, how many tears were shed there after bitter defeats? How many coaches have tried in vain in recent years to form a winning team from Messi and Co.? Until the calm, level-headed Lionel Scaloni arrived in 2018, first winning the Copa America with his selection and then bringing the World Cup to Argentina. Now tears flow again – with joy.
moment of shock survived
Incidents erupted around the celebrations. Apparently the route has never been checked before, but Messi and four other players survive a moment of shock when they quickly dodge a power cable hanging over the road. Unthinkable if Messi, de Paul, Paredes, Otamendi and Di María would have been thrown out of the bus with their medals and trophies. Because everyone bends down in time, the moment of shock is over. Nevertheless, the issue of security played a major role for the authorities, because enthusiasm knows no bounds.
In the end, a million fans allegedly spent the waiting time around the obelisk with fan chants and spontaneous concerts. The government declared Tuesday a national holiday. Protests came from the provinces, saying the country can’t really afford this little luxury given the difficult economic situation.
An experience for eternity
Shortly before noon local time, the bus with the national players left the association premises. In the midday heat of more than 30 degrees Celsius, the players put on hats in Argentina’s national colors. “I am really excited. I’m so glad I got to experience this. Argentina is the best country in the world,” says a moved woman into the microphone of Argentine television.
It almost seems as if Argentina is experiencing the rebirth of the nation on this day. Anyone under the age of 36 only knows a World Cup celebration from what their parents or grandparents have told them. After this celebration day, the world champions go to their home provinces.
Lionel Messi is eagerly awaited in Rosario. He traditionally spends Christmas with his family in his hometown, even though the French league’s schedule is already tight. His gift is no longer a surprise since Sunday. But probably the most beautiful and unique thing that a football professional can give himself and his fans.
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