- Wild celebrations broke out as Spain celebrated their nation’s triumph at Euro 2024
- The meeting with the King took place before a large bus parade through Madrid
- Listen to It’s all just beginning! EUROS DIARY: Why did Gareth Southgate’s team look so exhausted?
Thousands of fans flocked to Madrid for Spain’s Euro 2024 trophy parade, which ended with a star-studded musical performance led by the players as chaotic celebrations rubbed salt into England’s wounds.
Spain won their fourth European Championship on Sunday night by beating England 2-1 in Berlin after coming from a goal down and conceding a late goal.
The victorious players and coaching staff returned to Spain on Monday morning and received a heroes’ welcome as the country’s football fans and royal family recognised the outstanding achievement.
Captain Alvaro Morata, who has at times faced strong criticism from the Spanish press, was the central figure amid the high-energy celebrations as the iconic trophy was displayed for fans to see.
However, an unpleasant moment amid the party atmosphere came when Manchester City midfielder Rodri grabbed the microphone and began chanting “Gibraltar is Spanish” despite being a British Overseas Territory.
The status of the city has long been a sensitive political issue and some in Spain believe British control is illegal.
Trophy celebrations of such magnitude can sometimes make it difficult for fans and players to connect, but there was no sign of that during the emphatic scenes throughout Monday afternoon and evening.
Thousands of fans flocked to Madrid for the Euro 2024 Spanish Cup parade
Thousands of fans packed the central Plaza de Cibeles in the center of Madrid
The Spanish players paraded through the streets and on stage with the iconic Henri Delaunay Trophy
Lamine Yamal (centre), 17, was encouraged to perform a special dance for the crowd.
Rodri lifted the Euro Cup trophy after being one of the tournament’s standout players
The status of the city has long been a sensitive political issue and some in Spain believe British control is illegal.
Trophy celebrations of such magnitude can sometimes make it difficult for fans and players to connect, but there was no sign of that during the emphatic scenes throughout Monday afternoon and evening.
After landing in Madrid, an open-top bus paraded the players like gladiators through the city’s Plaza de Cibeles after a brief meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain and his family.
Celebrating his nation’s success, the King beamed as he shook the hands of all the players and staff present and posed for a group photo with the entire squad while also receiving a shirt celebrating Spain’s fourth European title.
Thousands of patriotic fans followed the bus through the centre of Madrid as the players displayed the Henri Delaunay Trophy amid chants and songs in an incredible atmosphere.
Lamine Yamal, 17, received a lot of love from fans after starring in the competition and looked right at home as she danced and partied with her more experienced teammates.
The climax of the celebrations came in the square when the players got off the bus and went up on stage where special performances and interviews with the winners took place.
Morata was the main controller on stage, often asking individual questions of players, dancing, and even serenading the crowd with a chant of his own.
Rodri, who has been touted as the next Ballon d’Or, was also at the centre of some iconic dancing that saw the entire Spanish team jump to the beat of the huge queues of fans nearby.
King Felipe VI of Spain and his family greeted the title-winning team before the celebrations began
Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella (centre) was the centre of the celebrations on stage
The players were surrounded by thousands of celebrating fans and a heavy police presence escorted the bus.
A truly emotional moment took place when a 10-year-old girl battling cancer, Maria Camano, was welcomed on stage.
A special moment also saw Yamal and Neco Williams perform a fun dance routine that caused a stir among eager fans and Spanish players who were eager to see the teenager have his moment in the spotlight.
Chelsea star Marc Cucurella was treated to another rendition of his iconic song which the full-back previously performed for the team after lifting the Euro 2024 title in Germany.
A truly emotional moment came when Morata and his fellow performers welcomed Maria Camano, a 10-year-old girl battling cancer, on stage and encouraged her to join in the dance as she lifted the Euro trophy.
Meanwhile, England’s miserable journey back home ended with the team landing in London and the players now set to have some time off before beginning pre-season training with their respective clubs.