Spain wasted no time in jetting out of New York in the immediate aftermath of winning the World Cup with the victory over Argentina on Sunday night.
Luis de La Fuente’s side secured a second star for their nation with a dogged victory against a difficult Albiceleste at the MetLife Stadium just across the river from Manhattan.
But after lifting the trophy in front of a full house of their adoring fans, La Roja opted not to ring in their victory with a night of partying in the city that never sleeps.
Instead, Golden Ball winner Rodri got the party started in transit, leading a round of singing on the team bus as the jubilant players sped back to their hotel for a team meal, before moving on to Newark Airport.
Back at the hotel, noted oenophile Marcos Llorente enjoyed a bottle of Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve 2014 – which costs a festive £1,009 to uncork – in his room with team-mates Ferran Torres and Marc Pubil.
The stars then boarded the Airbus A350-941 waiting for them – clad in their team’s livery – and took off shortly after 2am local time.
Spain were in high spirits as they celebrated winning the World Cup on their bus home to Madrid in the early hours of Monday morning
Festivities in the hotel were limited to a bottle of £1,000 red wine drunk by Marcos Llorente, goalscorer Ferran Torres and Marc Pubill
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Should Spain have celebrated more publicly in New York, or was rushing home for a trophy parade the right move?
The reasoning behind flying out immediately after winning the World Cup is thought to be that the team will be welcomed with a trophy parade in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles – where Real Madrid often host their own celebrations.
After landing at Madrid’s Barajas Airport at 1.37pm, the players are believed to be set for just a little downtime, before heading to the picturesque square to kick-off the party on home soil.
According to Spanish outlet La Razon, officials from Madrid have organised a secure welcome for the players that is set to attract thousands of fans as the team travels to Plaza de Cibeles in an open-top bus.
Once on board the flight, Aymeric Laporte was among the players to pose with the World Cup trophy, giving it a tender kiss in his seat as he soaked up the once-in-a-generation feeling.
Spain had previously celebrated on the pitch with their friends and family, with crossover superstars including seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz also joining in on the fun.
Players were draped in flags from their regions in the country as they posed for photos and celebrated with loved ones.
But the show was thoroughly stolen by Spain’s unofficial talisman Keyne Yamal – the little brother of teen starlet Lamine.
Dressed in a replica Spain jersey with his brother’s No. 19 and his own first name emblazoned on the back, Keyne darted onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium, where he then ran straight into his older brother’s arms.
Marc Cucurella and Gavi posed in front of the team’s Airbus as they prepared to go home
Aymeric Laporte and Alex Baena both posed with the World Cup trophy onboard their plane
Rodri led a bus full of Spanish players in rounds of singing as they headed for Newark airport
Lamine Yamal had previously enjoyed a cigar in the lift as he began his journey back to Spain
The prodigal Barcelona star had celebrated earlier on the pitch with his girlfriend Ines Garcia
Yamal was all too happy to accept a hug from Keyne and quickly lifted his younger brother into the air before gently placing him back down on the field and putting a red ‘Lamine’ baseball hat on the toddler’s head.
And that wasn’t the only hat Keyne tried on while roaming around the MetLife pitch on Sunday.
A New Jersey State Trooper couldn’t help but remove his cap to briefly share with Keyne, who tried it on before politely returning it to the officer.
Yamal also posed with his girlfriend Ines Garcia in a sweet photo on the pitch, with the influencer sharing it with the caption: ‘You did it. Congratulations, my love – you’re a world champion’.
Later, Yamal was snapped lighting a large cigar as he waited in a lift at the hotel on his journey home.
As high-spirited as Spain’s celebrations were, they came in stark contrast to the ugly scenes on the pitch after the final whistle, when Argentina stars including Leonardo Paredes attacked Spanish players Eric Garcia and Rodri.
Paredes throttled Garcia and pushed Barcelona star Gavi to the ground, while Nahuel Molina also punched Rodri in the torso as he was running by.
Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi later complained to DAZN Spain that rival players had been complaining to the media in the build-up to the final.
Argentina players later turned their backs on Spain’s trophy lift in their last bitter act following a blue-and-white campaign as noted for its thuggishness as its strong tournament play.
