Messi and team forced to fly as roads at home get choked with excited soccer fans
Buenos Aires: With the soccer fans being over-excited about Argentina’s victory in the World Cup, the team’s celebration was disrupted, forcing Lionel Messi and the others to go by helicopter instead of an open-top bus on Tuesday.
When the team bus arrived in the city at 3 am on Tuesday, the fans thronged the vehicle at the airport. Also, as at least 4 million people gathered on the streets, the city trip planned for midday was interrupted.
A video shared on social media shows a fan falling from a bridge on to the bus carrying the soccer team. Another fan is seen falling on the crowd, missing the bus.
Chiqui Tapia, head of the Football Association, apologized to the supporters, saying that they were unable to continue by bus.
Enzo Fernandez, who is a midfielder in the Argentinian team, posted a picture of himself in the helicopter.
A presidential spokesperson confirmed that the soccer players had taken the air route since the fans’ delight and excitement at the team’s victory had jammed the roads. The local television channels broadcast scenes of the people clogging the highway bridges, climbing atop light posts and vehicles, expressing their joy.
In addition, Alberto Fernandez, President of Argentina, declared a national holiday for celebrations over the World Cup victory.
With Argentina having a population of 46 million, the celebration is providing a relief for a nation struggling against economic problems including inflation, weakening currency and tight capital controls. The poor planning of celebration and security failure to protect the soccer team’s bus are likely to be severely criticized.
The players, however, have been reluctant to meet the government authorities, to avoid mixing of politics and sports. A visit to the presidential palace was ruled out by the football federation on Tuesday. In addition, when the team landed at the international airport, Messi did not greet Interior Minister Eduardo de Pedro, who was waiting for the team on the tarmac.
Lionel #Messi and team were evacuated in helicopters after fans jumped from bridges to get on the bus during the #FifaWorldCup winners' parade in Buenos Aires#Argentinafans #FIFAWorldCupFinal https://t.co/s54PeOSdmb pic.twitter.com/IgjU5z47Q8
— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 21, 2022
Estiman que el 10% de la población argentina (casi cinco millones) están ahora mismo recibiendo al plantel campeón del mundo en las calles de Buenos Aires. pic.twitter.com/lvpETOS1Gg
— Pablo Giralt (@giraltpablo) December 20, 2022
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Shubman Gill set to be named Cricketer of the Year at BCCI annual gala
New Delhi (PTI): India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill is set to be named Cricketer of the Year at the BCCI's annual awards to be held here on March 15.
The 26-year-old, who was not picked in the T20 side that defended the World Cup crown last month, enjoyed a stellar run in the other two formats.
He amassed 983 runs in Tests, including a whopping 754 in the drawn away series against England in 2025, at average of over 70.
His ODI runs tally stood at 490, including 188 runs during India's title-winning Champions Trophy campaign .
Overall, Gill accumulated 1,764 runs across formats at an average of 49, dotted with seven centuries and three fifties.
Although his T20 International form was not particularly impressive, he was in tremendous form during the IPL, scoring 650 runs for Gujarat Titans at an average of 50.
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid is set to be honored with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for his monumental contribution to Indian cricket, including guiding the team to the 2024 T20 World Cup title.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is set to be named the Best Association in domestic cricket.
