Sixteen years after South Africa, Spain touched the football sky again and its capital celebrated it in style. The open-top bus of the world champions completed its route through the heart of Madrid before a human tide that accompanied them from Moncloa to Cibeles, a square where a giant stage was set up featuring artists like Aitana or Viva Suecia, and which, around 10:00 p.m., was taken over by the true protagonists: the heroes who won the second star.
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On the stage, the athletes paraded one by one – in ascending order according to their jersey number – each with a personalized song. The footballers dedicated a little dance to those present at Cibeles, although some like defender Marc Pubill even asked for the microphone to sing part of a reggaeton song.
Wearing number 5, and without taking off his yellow-lensed glasses, Marcos Llorente came out with Julio Iglesias playing in the background. At the other end, Gavi, with number 9, chose Bad Bunny and his NUEVAYoL, which got even the most reserved to jump and sing along. One of the most emotional moments was experienced with the birthday boy, Álex Baena, who came out with an Atleti flag on his shoulders and the World Cup. After the announcer announced he was turning 25, everyone present sang him “Happy Birthday.”
Although one of the highlights was marked by the entrance of Ferran Torres. He chose, as it could not be otherwise, El tiburón, released by Proyecto Uno in 2003. He was followed by the captain, Rodri Hernández, who did grab the microphone and started with “Spain, we are world champions,” continuing with “long live the mother who gave birth to us, long live the king and long live Spain.”
The last to come out was Luis de la Fuente, to the rhythm of Julio Iglesias. And as he did after winning the 2024 Eurocup, he dared to sing a few bars of Quijote, coaxing smiles from his players. Immediately after, he addressed everyone gathered, thanking them for supporting them throughout the tournament. And he concluded: “Thank you for living our success so closely, which is also yours. We are lucky to have 26 fantastic people, who now on top are the best in the world… Together we are stronger, long live Spain.”
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Between chants and laughter, different performances took turns. Lola Índigo and Ana Mena dared to dance with the 26 footballers. Although another climax of the night was starred by Marc Cucurella with the microphone, singing his now famous song about eating paella and drinking Estrella that says “Haaland, tremble, Cucurella is coming.” Meanwhile, the entire square was going wild.
The entrance of Luis de la Fuente and how the players held him aloft was the peak of the night because it perfectly summarizes his management based on humility, work, and blind faith in his footballers. Gestures like Rodri breaking a lance in favor of Ferran Torres to remind how much he has suffered from criticism, or the detail of bringing the entire coaching staff, physiotherapists, and kit managers on stage, showed that the message of being a family was real and that they protected each other both on and off the field. In the end, the true triumph of this team was reconnecting people with the team, making the whole country feel part of something great thanks to the union of twenty-six fantastic people who, moreover, turned out to be extraordinary footballers.
The crowning touch was Aitana, singing her song Superestrella, chanted and danced by both the attendees and the footballers themselves. Thus ended the champions’ parade, which started at 8:00 p.m., following the same route as the Eurocup two years ago, passing through Princesa, Alberto Aguilera, and the Plaza de Colón, all these places packed in what became an unforgettable night where music and football showed that this team had an unbeatable human soul and that, as many attendees said, if they continue with this spirit we will return in 2028.
