Spain’s triumphant World Cup squad touched down at Madrid-Barajas Airport on Monday afternoon, with captain Rodri carrying the trophy, before heading straight to Zarzuela Palace for a reception with King Felipe VI and his family.
The victorious side, led by Rodri and manager Luis de la Fuente, were greeted at Zarzuela Palace, the official home of the Spanish monarchy on the outskirts of Madrid, just hours after their dramatic extra-time victory over Argentina in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The players arrived at the Palace in suits following a quick change at the airport.
Addressing the squad at the Palace, the King praised their collective spirit throughout the tournament.
Spain’s triumphant World Cup squad headed straight to Zarzuela Palace for a reception with King Felipe VI and his family
|
GETTY
“You have shown your grit, your resilience and your courage, always backed by your technical skill, your control and command of the game, combining head and heart,” Felipe told the players, describing their path to glory as an “odyssey” in which they remained “united.”
He added: “When our national team plays, we all play. Now, by winning, you have done it for all of Spain.”
For the Palace reception, Queen Letizia chose a red dress from Spanish brand Adolfo Domínguez, echoing the colours of La Roja’s kit, while her two daughters wore matching Adidas Spain jerseys.
Felipe personally greeted every member of the squad with a handshake, reserving a warm embrace for Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal.
The Spanish Royal Family posed alongside the entire delegation and the trophy on the Palace steps, with photographs and videos of the celebrations shared on the household’s official Instagram account
|
GETTY
The Spanish Royal Family posed alongside the entire delegation and the trophy on the Palace steps, with photographs and videos of the celebrations shared on the household’s official Instagram account.
Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía were also pictured holding new team jerseys.
The royal household also published a tribute on social media, hailing the achievement as historic. “Today we celebrate a title; tomorrow we will remember a legend,” the post read, commending the players, coaching staff and supporters for their “effort, sacrifice, perseverance, and exemplary commitment in every match.”
The final in New Jersey marked a notable occasion for the royal household, as it was the first time King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía had all attended a Spanish men’s national football match together.
Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía were also pictured holding new team jerseys
|
GETTY
Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal on Sunday to secure Spain’s second World Cup title, 16 years after their maiden triumph in 2010, in the expanded 48-team tournament’s showpiece match.
From Zarzuela, the squad were due to travel to Moncloa Palace for an official governmental reception hosted by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
The celebrations were then set to continue with an open-top bus parade through the streets of the capital, culminating at the Plaza de Cibeles, the traditional gathering point for Madrid’s sporting triumphs.
Supporters had already packed Cibeles Square on Monday afternoon in anticipation of the team’s arrival, with an estimated one million fans expected to join the festivities.
The outpouring of national pride caps a remarkable 24 hours for Spanish football, with the squad returning from the United States as only the second Spanish side in history to lift the World Cup trophy.