Argentina World Cup heroes greeted by millions of partying fans in Buenos Aires

Lionel Messi and teammates start a victory parade on open-top bus

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

Millions of Argentina fans took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Tuesday to welcome Lionel Messi and his fellow stars back from their World Cup triumph.

Messi was seen with his teammates on an open-top bus waving at jubilant fans on the sides of the highway heading to Buenos Aires from their training ground on the outskirts of the city.

The team was due to reach downtown Buenos Aires later, where millions were gathered to celebrate their triumph.

The celebration provides a much-needed distraction for Argentines, who are struggling with an economic crisis of high inflation, a weak currency and capital controls.

Argentina beat France on penalties on Sunday to win their third World Cup, their first in 36 years.