Millions took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Tuesday to try to get a glimpse of Lionel Messi and the national football team that won the World Cup as they paraded through the capital in a historic display of popular support.

Messi and his teammates from the Argentina national team traveled on an open-top bus waving at jubilant fans on the sides of the highway heading to Buenos Aires from their training ground on the outskirts of the city.

Sources estimated that four million Argentines were in the streets taking part in the celebration which was complicating the planned route of the team bus. Wild scenes broadcast on local TV show people filling highway bridges, climbing light posts and vehicles while singing and waving shirts and flags in the football-crazed nation of 46 million.

Following the uncontrollable crowds of fans, the head of the football association announced that the team could no longer continue with the planned tour. He also apologised to the fans for not being able to execute the parade as the helicopter arrived to evacuate the team from their bus. The players did travel across the city but took the aerial route instead of the road. A team member, Enzo Fernandez shared his photo in a helicopter travelling over the crowds.

President of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez had declared a national holiday to mark the event. Celebration of people across the country was shared across several websites. The conditions in France, the runners-up in the competition are exactly the opposite. Riots and fights broke out across the country after the results of the final match.