Everyone, despite the crushing heat of the southern summer, wanted, had to, to be there.
"I want to see Messi", repeat in unison those converging on the Obelisk, place of festive gatherings, "emblem of the Porteño people" - where the national flag was first hoisted in the capital, in 1812 - which became this Tuesday "the center of Argentina", says Agustin Deleriche, 23, from Avellaneda, in the southern suburbs.
"Even if I only see Messi from a distance I don't care", it's "historic", says Paola Zattera, 43, a civil servant.
Families, friends, did not hesitate to travel hundreds of kilometers across the immense country, like Luciano Peralta, 41-year-old merchant from Rosario, "Messi's hometown", 300 km from Buenos Aires.
He praises "this national team close to the Argentine people" who were able to "identify with them".
Lionel Messi is everywhere.
In all the mouths, all the songs, on the back of the shirts.
There's no point in trying to sell a flocked jersey with another name here... Everyone is there to "see" the heroes of the "Scaloneta" but more particularly their new living "D10S", their messiah, who by bringing the armband back to the arms and talent at feet the trophy after 36 years of scarcity has settled in the rank of "God of football" in Argentina, alongside the late Diego Maradona, who left in November 2020, but forever present in the heart and the soul Argentinians.
A flag uniting the two legends Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, during celebrations for the return of the Argentinian world champions, on December 20, 2022 in Buenos Aires © Matias BAGLIETTO / AFP
The Albiceleste jerseys, worn by more than 90% of people thanks to the low price of copies from street vendors, are on everyone's shoulders.
They mingle with the Argentinian flags in a wave of sky blue and white that undulates endlessly under a swell of happiness.
"A World Cup unites a country"
Sergio Barreras, 30, from Quilmes, in the southern suburbs of the city, is one of the few to wear the jersey of a club, that of Boca Juniors.
"I don't have (the Argentina jersey) but I carry it in me, in my heart. Today we are all from Independiente, Boca, Racing, we are all Argentines", proclaims- he.
His friend Agustin Deleriche wears that of River Plate, Boca's rival: "Whatever the colors, of any social class, people came. That's winning a World Cup, a World Cup unites a country and those who lived through it never forget it".
"It's beautiful to live this moment, as an Argentinian, to share it with other Argentinians", abounds Fiorella Lavia, 18, student.
"Seeing Argentina win a World Cup when I'm so young is a blessing," breathes Lautaro Rodriguez, 21, who came with his girlfriend from Berazategui, south of the capital.
Nicolas Tort, 28, craftsman and tango dancer from Ayacucho, 350 km from Buenos Aires, arrived in the early morning and reached the Obelisk where he "hopes that the players will arrive, that we can greet them" and "come home being able to say + we saw them +".
A flag bearing the image of Diego Maradona during celebrations for the return of the world champions, December 20, 2022 in Buenos Aires © Emiliano Lasalvia / AFP
In vain.
The loop of about 70 km planned by double-decker bus stopped after four hours and a few kilometers at low speed in the face of popular pressure.
Without even being able to enter the city, without going through the Obelisk or even at the Casa Rosada, on the balcony of the presidency where Maradona had been in 1986.
"I wish it had ended differently," said bitter Roman Garcia, a 38-year-old civil servant.
"We are happy, for the people, for everything. But a little disappointed because once again we have shown that we Argentinians cannot organize anything", adds Jorge Ortalli, from Campana, north of Buenos Aires. .
Excessive fervor for football and both harsh reality: in all its facets, Argentina showed off this Tuesday, declared a holiday, which will be remembered and the books of history with this record gathering of more than 5 million of people who came to celebrate this "dream come true" of a third star.
© 2022 AFP