Spain's men's national football team arrived in Madrid on Monday to a heroes' welcome after winning the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in New Jersey.
The squad landed at Barajas airport at 2:30 pm local time, with captain Rodri holding the trophy aloft.
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Hundreds of supporters wearing team jerseys and waving Spanish flags greeted them at the terminal.
From the airport, the team traveled to the Zarzuela palace for an audience with King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Princess Sofía.
King Felipe praised the team's resilience, saying, "It's been an epic triumph.
You've suffered, you've come home bruised and tired, you've endured some criticism, but what is all that compared with the joy of bringing the cup home?"
Official Ceremonies and Public Celebrations
Following the royal meeting, the players and staff visited the Moncloa palace, the official residence of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Sánchez thanked the squad for "the game, for the effort and for the victory."
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Rodri reflected on the achievement, stating, "Winning for your country is the most beautiful thing there is.
This generation grew up watching Casillas and Iniesta lift the cup [in 2010] and having been able to do that today is the biggest thing you can do in football."
Despite temperatures reaching 34°C, thousands of fans gathered for the main victory parade from Moncloa to the Plaza de Cibeles.
Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida noted that authorities prepared extensively for the event and praised the orderly behavior of crowds.
This is Spain's second men's World Cup title, following their 2010 victory.
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The Spanish postal service, Correos, announced a commemorative stamp featuring the word CAMPEONES and two stars representing the two titles.
