Spain's victorious World Cup squad have landed in Madrid amid scenes of joyous celebration in the country's capital.
A sizeable crowd chanted and car horns sounded as skipper Iker Casillas, carrying the trophy, led the team down the steps of the plane.
The players will have a brief siesta before a reception hosted by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
More than one million fans are expected to line the streets for an open-top bus parade starting at 1800 BST.
The parade will end about two hours later at the esplanade near the Puente del Rey, where the festivities are expected to continue officially until midnight.
Many fans made the trip to Barajas Airport to greet the returning heroes from South Africa.
The flight landed at 1338 local time with Spanish flags flying from the cockpit windows and two fire engines making a guard of honour with their jet streams.
The plane was emblazoned with the words 'Campeones' (Champions) and 'Orgullosos de nuestra seleccion' (Proud of our squad).
Casillas, who was in floods of tears after the final whistle in Johannesburg on Sunday night, again appeared to be on the verge of crying as he led his team across the tarmac to a waiting coach.
They were taken to a nearby hotel to eat and rest before they head to the Royal Palace for a reception with the Spanish royal family and then to the Moncloa Palace to be greeted by the prime minister.
European champions Spain won the World Cup for the first time in their history thanks to Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner against the Netherlands at the Soccer City Stadium.
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Cedi gained 1.44% to dollar last week; one dollar going for GH¢15.75
18 minutes -
HR practitioners told to push for increased mental-health investments
57 minutes -
School Feeding caterers besiege Gender Ministry over non-payment of arrears
59 minutes -
Akufo-Addo honours 8 institutions at 2024 National Honours and Awards
1 hour -
Obuasi East MP-elect drags EC to court over second collation and declaration
2 hours -
UMB apologises to Engineers & Planners over debt miscommunication
2 hours -
Why you need to be at ICGC Christ Temple East for Crossover Service
2 hours -
Ashanti region confirms 5 cholera cases
2 hours -
Madam Gladys Agyekum
3 hours -
Sweet Potatoes – Unpacking the Nutritional Value and the Sweetness
3 hours -
Badminton: Abdul-Samad, Rachael Quarcoo crowned champions of President’s Cup
4 hours -
Ouattara praises Mawuli Wayo after brace against Accra Lions
4 hours -
Speaker has no power to exclude gazetted MPs without legal basis – Samson Lardy
5 hours -
McDan Aviation expresses disappointment in GACL over closure of aviation terminal
5 hours -
Abokobi residents ready for a rerun of disputed polling station in Dome-Kwabenya constituency
5 hours