A red carpet and a military orchestra. This is how the Argentine World Cup squad was welcomed when they landed in Buenos Aires on Monday.
On the bus ride between the airport and the Argentine Football Association headquarters, they were also met by thousands of supporters who had gathered along the roads to catch a glimpse of the silver medallists.
But those hoping for Lionel Messi were disappointed; the team captain was nowhere to be seen. The reason he was not there has not been communicated by the federation.
Argentine President Javier Milei has previously announced that a national holiday will be declared to celebrate the silver medal, but when and how this will happen is still unclear.
