The Spanish men’s football team took a mass bath this Monday in the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, where they were feted for winning their fourth European Championship in Germany by thousands of fans who accompanied them from their departure from the Palacio de la Moncloa to the venue of the final party.

The players and coaching staff of the national team were able to see first-hand the enthusiasm and euphoria that they generated during their stay at the continental tournament among the fans who, from midday, filled the streets of the capital, despite the heat, while the open-top bus passed by the Moncloa Palace.

There, the European champions, who landed in Madrid after 2:00 p.m., completed their institutional journey, which began with the personal congratulations of Their Majesties the King and Queen at the La Zarzuela Palace before receiving the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.

After that, the real party began for the Spanish players, who took almost 2 hours to get to the Plaza de Cibeles, while the fans cheered and supported them on their journey, which took them through Princesa, Alberto Aguilera, Plaza de Colon, Jorge Juan, Serrano, Puerta de Alcalá, Alfonso

After a short “rest” in the Palace of Communications, the headquarters of the institution, where His Royal Highness also congratulated Her Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Elena and her daughter Victoria Federica, the players finally appeared, led by captain Álvaro Morata, acting as “master of ceremonies”, as Pepe Reina or Jordi Alba did in their time, and who introduced the rest of his colleagues one by one, all accompanied by the musical theme with which they identify.

“We are European champions, we are European champions four times, and we are European champions because you all believed in us and we noticed it and for you we gave our lives until the end,” Morata said, applauding and receiving much love from the fans.

The striker admitted that he was “really proud to be captain of this team” and that “looking at each other from the bus” he felt “represented” by the fans. “Sometimes it may or may not be a goal, but I gave my life to achieve this,” he noted.

“I knew my teammates were very good. We have the best country in the world and we are European champions. It was magical, thanks to all the teammates who helped us and couldn’t come to Germany, that’s their job too,” said the Madridista, who did not forget the players of the “golden generation” who taught them how to fight and how to work as a team.

From that moment on, there were moments like the chant of the “Golden Ball” to Dani Carvajal, who came out on stage shirtless, and Rodri Hernandez, who was chanted “MVP” and the popular “Rodri on fire”, or “Lamin, Yamal, I love you more every day”, which Estopa popularized in concert when the shy young striker came out, “Spanish Gibraltar”, uttered by Morata and Rodri, to whom the captain reminded him that he played in England, or the song dedicated to Marc Cucurella, which has become even more viral in this Eurocup.

The last to leave was coach Luis de la Fuente, who said that “it is a pride to be able to lead a group of players and people who are these outstanding footballers.” “We and Spain are proud to have a person who represents a school of values ​​such as self-improvement, work, colleagues, generosity or talent. They are an example for this country, let’s continue to be so united, and in this we are stronger,” he said.

The Rioja coach has kept one of the moments he dared to sing with his friend and former Athletic Club teammate Patsy Salinas as a memory. “Don Quixote” by Julio Iglesiasone of his favorite singers.

There was also a nice gesture from the national team players: Maria Camaño, a girl who is battling Ewing’s sarcoma and whose idol is Morata, appeared on stage, witnessed much of the celebration and even lifted the champions’ trophy.

In addition, Miguel Merino, father of Mikel Merino, the scorer of the goal that won the victory over Germany in Stuttgart, celebrated in the same way as his father, who scored in the same stadium wearing the Osasuna shirt in 1991. Both were able to symbolically celebrate the same goal with two corner flags.

“Wild Filly”, a favourite song in the Spanish dressing room during the European Cup, performed live by its author, Segovian singer Isabel Ayun, and “We are the Champions” put an end to the champions’ party with one blow. (Europe Press)