Argentina forced to abandon World Cup parade after fans bring Buenos Aires to standstill

Millions of supporters take to the streets as Messi and fellow players ditch open-top bus in favour of a hastily organised helicopter tour

Argentina World Cup winners Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi and Cristian Romero celebrate on board an open-top bus as they parade through Buenos Aires on December 20, 2022. AFP

A police helicopter is seen carrying members of the Argentina team after the the victory parade was cancelled Reuters

Argentina fans celebrate their World Cup-winning squad as they parade through the captial. AFP

A fan of Argentina clings to a pole cheers as the team passes on the bus. AFP

Fans of Argentina await the arrival of the team's bus. AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria with teammates during the victory parade. Reuters

A helicopter of the Buenos Aires city police force carries Lionel Messi and Lionel Scaloni over the parade. Getty

Argentina's players during the parade. AFP

Aerial view of fans of Argentina waiting for the bus with Argentina's players to arrive at the Obelisk. AFP

Argentina's players during the parade. AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi Angel Di Maria prepare to board a helicopter. AFP

Argentina's players during the parade. AFP

Argentina's players during the parade. AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria about to board a helicopter. AFP

Fans of Argentina gather in Plaza de Mayo square. AFP

Argentina's players celebrate on board the bus. AFP

Argentina's players celebrate. AFP

Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Angel Di Maria and teammates celebrate on the bus. Reuters

Lionel Messi on the victory parade. AFP

Argentine football star Lionel Messi takes pictures with his phone while celebrating. AFP

Lionel Messi waves to the fans. AFP

Argentina's players celebrate. AFP

Lionel Messi, left, chats with teammates Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi. AP

Argentina team are welcomed home by adoring fans in Buenos Aires. AP

Argentina fans wait for the bus parade. AFP

Fans wait for the bus with Argentina's World Cup winners in Buenos Aires on December 20, 2022. AFP

Fans of Argentina wait for the team pass to pass in Buenos Aires. AFP

Argentina fans wait to greet their World Cup heroes. AFP

Argentina fans wait to greet their World Cup heroes in Buenos Aires. AFP

Argentina fans wait to greet their World Cup heroes in Buenos Aires. AFP

Argentina fans wait to greet their World Cup heroes in Buenos Aires. AFP

Argentina fans wait to greet their World Cup heroes in the victory parade in Buenos Aires. Reuters

Argentina fans wait to greet their World Cup heroes in Buenos Aires. AFP

Argentina's Lionel Messi and former player Diego Maradona on a banner next to the victory parade. Reuters

World Cup winners Argentina were forced to abandon their homecoming parade in Buenos Aires due to the phenomenal number of supporters out partying in the streets.

Millions of ecstatic fans brought the capital to a standstill as Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates set off in an open-top bus at the start of a scheduled eight-hour journey.

But as the celebrations became more chaotic and fever pitched, the players – who defeated France in Sunday's dramatic final in Qatar – were unable to reach the central Obelisco monument as planned because the route was completely blocked by the estimated four million people out to party.

Three hours into the procession, the bus had barely covered a third of the planned path.

As security fears increased – social media footage showed some fans trying to jump on to the bus when it passed under a bridge – the players were instead transferred into helicopters for a bird's-eye view of the incredible scenes.

“The world champions are flying over the entire route in helicopters because it became impossible to continue on land due to the explosion of joy,” presidential spokeswoman Gabriela Cerruti wrote on Twitter.

The Argentine government declared on Tuesday would be a national holiday in the South American country after Messi and his teammates beat France in a penalty shoot-out to secure a third world crown – and their first since 1986.

The squad had touched down at Ezeiza International Airport shortly before 3am to begin a day of celebrations. Even at that early hour, there were thousands were waiting with banners, flags and flares there to greet tge team.

Messi and Co then spent a short time resting at the Argentine Football Association training complex in the Ezeiza suburb of the capital before beginning the parade journey.

By midday, millions had already congregated in downtown Buenos Aires, with major roads shut down for the parade. People held up banners of Messi and late icon Diego Maradona, played instruments or climbed lampposts or bus stops.

Roads started to clear after the players took to the sky in helicopters, with some people left disappointed not to see the team.

“They don't let us get to greet all the people who were at the Obelisco. The security agents that escorted us won't allow us to move forward,” tweeted Chiqui Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

“A thousand apologies on behalf of all the champion players,” he added. “Thanks for so much love! We are the top football nation in the world! The cup is back home.”

Argentina won the final in Doha 4-2 on penalties after a rollercoaster 3-3 draw for their first world title in 36 years. “This trophy that we won is also for all those that did not manage to win it in previous World Cups we played, such as Brazil 2014,” Messi said on social media, referring to the team that lost 1-0 to Germany in the title match eight years ago.