A Nation Celebrates
The streets of Madrid turned into a sea of celebration on Monday as Spain's World Cup‑winning squad rolled back into the capital, greeted by an estimated two million spectators.
The team, accompanied by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, traveled on an open‑top bus emblazoned with the words “Stars shine together,” waving to fans and displaying photographs of the players.
The procession wound from the vicinity of Moncloa Palace to Cibeles Square, where about 120,000 people had gathered for a formal ceremony; players were introduced one by one, each choosing a song for their entrance, while Alex Baena lifted the trophy on his 25th birthday.
Striker Borja Iglesias took on the role of DJ, spinning tracks as teammates danced, while singers Aitana, Ana Mena and Lola Índigo added their voices to the festivity; the event culminated with the entire squad hoisting the World Cup trophy aloft.
The triumph marks Spain’s second World Cup crown, the first since 2010, and completes a historic double after the women’s team captured the 2023 Women’s World Cup, a feat achieved as the nation’s economy expands and long‑standing nationalist tensions ease.
The jubilation was tempered by news of a 13‑year‑old’s death in Salamanca, a reminder of the fragile balance between celebration and sorrow.