REIGN IN SPAIN
SPAIN enjoyed a heroes’ welcome yesterday as legions of ecstatic fans and the country’s top dignitaries alike clamoured to greet the returning world champions.
Around a million supporters lined the streets of Madrid to cheer the team, who celebrated a maiden World Cup triumph with an open-top bus parade. King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero both personally thanked Vicente del Bosque’s men, while street parties were still in full swing late last night.
Captain Iker Casillas had earlier proudly carried the trophy across the runway after the squad’s return flight from South Africa touched down at the capital’s Barajas airport just after 1:30pm local time.
Spanish flags flew from the cockpit windows of a plane decorated with the slogans ‘Champions’ and ‘Proud of our squad’, while two fire engines spraying water formed a guard of honour.
They were soon whisked to Zarzuela Palace for a reception with King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and their children Princess Elena and Prince Felipe. The King spoke to each of the 23 players, including Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, before telling them: “Thank you champions, in the name of all of Spain and all Spaniards. You brought together all Spaniards, made our dreams a reality and projected the name of Spain around the world.”
Next it was the turn of Prime Minister Zapatero to meet them at Moncloa Palace, where Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas said they had deserved to add the World Cup to their 2008 European Championship.
“I have the great fortune to represent all these great players,” he said. “We’ve brought this trophy back because we deserve it. This is for you and the whole of Spain.”
Fabregas, meanwhile, earlier dedicated his win to Arsenal, but mererly added to confusion over whether he will stay at the club.
The midfielder, who is wanted by Barcelona, said:?“All I can say is that this is for the Arsenal players, for the Arsenal fans, for the manager and for all of the staff. I am really proud to have been an Arsenal player.”
The Gunners captain then corrected himself, saying: “I am an Arsenal player and I am really proud to be able to give this trophy to all the fans.”