Argentina's national team was welcomed home Monday by thousands of fans celebrating its gutsy performance in the World Cup final.
In this photo taken on Sunday, July 13, 2014, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin are seen during the official ceremony of handover to Russia as the 2018 World Cup hosts, after the World Cup final soccer match
Students participate in a protest with black flags against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in Anantapur on Monday. - DC
National security secretary Sergio Berni said 120 people were arrested. The Buenos Aires emergency medical service reported on Monday that 70 people were treated for injuries, including 15 police officers.
Violence broke out later Sunday night, forcing riot police to use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse vandals who threw rocks, destroyed store fronts, tore down street lights and even broke into a theater. Parents with small children fled in
"I'm thankful to everyone. I would have liked to bring you back the Cup and to be able to enjoy it. We tried, we gave it our all but we couldn't achieve it," said Messi, who won the trophy for the tournament's best player.
The two-time world champion entered the title match as the clear underdog after Germany's 7-1 thrashing of host Brazil. But despite complaints about lackluster play earlier in the tournament, the team led by captain Lionel Messi showed grit
"You showed that through courage, passion and bringing everything you have and more to the field you can triumph," President Cristina Fernandez said after greeting all members of the team at the complex with a hug and a pat on the back.
A river of emotional fans wearing the white and sky-blue striped jerseys of the national team, among them a group of Argentine gauchos on horses, flooded the road leading from the airport to the football association complex.
The team arrived in Buenos Aires on a plane painted with images of the players and a large sign reading: "Thank you Argentina."
Argentina's World Cup team gets a warm welcome home