'I don't care if I only see them from afar. Here I am and it's historic!' said a fan.
Millions of Argentines who thronged the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate an unforgettable moment with Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning teammates found themselves at a massive party bereft of the hallmark bus parade.
Friends, families, even rival fans traveled from across the country to the capital to bask in the glory of a first world title in 36 years.
Yet the chaotic bus tour was canceled about five hours after it started, after police decided it could not go on for safety reasons, yet most still missed the main show.
Despite the disappointment, the festivities continued for many, with the day becoming an exhibition of Argentines' fervent passion for football.
With nearly everyone wearing the team's distinctive blue-and-white jerseys on a hot day, a unified presence masked the deep social cracks and economic inequality of a country reeling from years of financial turmoil.
It was an unprecedented party, with an estimated five to six million people in the streets of Buenos Aires.
"I can't explain it (the feeling) with words, but with feelings," Paola Zatera, 43, who works in the administration, told AFP.
The last time there was a World Cup Victory Parade in Buenos Aires was six years ago, when the late Diego Maradona was the People's Champion.
She said she "didn't understand much" about what was happening at the time but was determined to make the most of it this time.
"I don't care if I only see them from afar. I'm here and it's historic!"
- 'We can't organize anything' -
Since early morning, every street leading to the iconic obelisk monument in central Buenos Aires was filled with people, where the World Cup winners were due to end their 30-kilometre (18-mile) victory parade.
Lovers had arrived from far and wide.
"We decided yesterday at five in the afternoon. We booked a hotel in Obelisk and got on a plane at four in the morning," said Cristina Vazquez, a 42-year-old nightclub owner in the southern tourist center. of Bariloche, told AFP.
"We are from Rosario, Messi's city," said 41-year-old businessman Luciano Peralta, referring to the star's hometown some 300 kilometers northwest of the capital.
"There is hope in every World Cup but this team is very close to the Argentinians who identify with them a lot."
People from all walks of life mingled among the huge crowd, which also included families with young children and infants.
It was a party no one was prepared to miss, even after Argentina went on to celebrate late on Sunday night after winning the World Cup by beating France on penalties.
And yet, as before in Argentina, there was a sting in the tail.
Safety concerns were raised after some fans tried to jump onto the bus from a bridge, and the remainder of the tour was cancelled.
The hastily arranged helicopter trip to take Messi, Scaloni and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul to the main parade sites was little consolation for those who had hoped to see them in the flesh.
"I'm a little disappointed because once again we Argentina have shown that we can't organize anything," lamented Jorge Ortali, 52, who came to Buenos Aires from the city of Campana with his son.
- 'A memorable, eternal day' -
Hours after the canceled parade, the incessant sound of drums and horns reverberated in the air.
Earlier in the day, fans climbed atop bus shelters and lampposts as the blue and white wave of fans spread far beyond the obelisk.
Being present and meeting fellow Argentines meant a lot to many.
"In 10 or 20 years we will remember that we were here, it is unique," said Agustín Delerich.
"Any colour, any social class... Winning the World Cup unites a country and those who experience it will never forget it."
He hoped it would be a "memorable, eternal day".
But in an economically unstable and politically polarized Argentina once again, there was a sense among some of another missed opportunity.
Roman Garcia, 38, said, "I would have liked it to have ended differently. We underestimated what could happen."
By the end of the day, there had been minor clashes between fans -- some apparently intoxicated -- and police proceeded to clear out a small group that had entered the area surrounding the obelisk. . Messi flies in helicopter, bus tour canceled over safety concerns
'I don't care if I only see them from afar. Here I am and it's historic!' said a fan.
Millions of Argentines who thronged the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate an unforgettable moment with Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning teammates found themselves at a massive party bereft of the hallmark bus parade.
Friends, families, even rival fans traveled from across the country to Cappy
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