Lionel Messi was welcomed to an overwhelming homecoming in Rosario after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
The 35-year-old returned to his home city for the first time since lifting the World Cup on Sunday, after an earlier evacuation of his side’s parade due to safety concerns.
He was then flown by helicopter to Rosario, located 185 miles away, before being pictured with wife Antonella Roccuzzo in a car as they headed home.
Upon his return, Messi was welcomed by hundreds of adoring fans, chanting “Dale Campeon” (“Let’s go champion”), as security cleared a path for the football star and his wife to drive through the middle of the crowd and into the building.
Messi hails from the city, having started his career at local team Newell’s Old Boys.
He moved to Barcelona at the age of 13 and has since established himself as one of the greatest players of all time.
Lionel Messi, who now lives in Paris Saint-Germain, still makes regular trips back to his hometown Rosario. Messi’s home, called Kentucky in Funes, is located within a gated private estate and is a monster property boasting a cinema, gym and an underground garage with a capacity of up to 15 cars.
The people of Argentina, and most especially those in Rosario, were ecstatic when Messi delivered their first World Cup since 1986, living up to the legacy of Diego Maradona.
However, their homecoming parade in Buenos Aires for the World Cup-winning heroes was cut short due to safety fears, requiring the team to be evacuated by helicopters.
Spectators of the parade were shocked when some people began jumping off nearby bridges, landing atop and around the bus, making it impossible for the parade to continue. Unable to proceed, the parade was quickly abandoned.