Heroes of Today and Italy '90: A Bridge of Applause for Argentina's World Cup Runner-Up Finish

Argentina's football heroes, both past and present, are linked by the emotional weight of World Cup final losses and the subsequent public reception. The nation still vividly recalls July 9, 1990, when the national team, led by Diego Maradona, paraded through Buenos Aires despite a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to West Germany in the Italy '90 World Cup final. The country, still reeling from the loss, offered a massive outpouring of support, turning a moment of national sorrow into a celebration of the team's journey.

The team, visibly affected by the loss, was met by a sea of fans from Ezeiza airport to the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace. Then-President Carlos Menem received the squad, whose bus crawled through streets packed with cheering supporters waving flags and banners. This overwhelming reception, far exceeding what the team might have expected given their performance, transformed the narrative from one of defeat to one of national pride and resilience.

Now, as Lionel Scaloni's current squad faces a similar situation after losing the recent World Cup final in New Jersey to Spain, those images from 1990 are resurfacing. The 2014 team, which lost to Germany in Brazil under Alejandro Sabella, had a more private reception. However, the memory of the 1990 celebration looms large as the current team, including Lionel Messi, is expected to land at Ezeiza. The team's return from the Qatar World Cup in 2022, when they brought the trophy home, set a high bar for receptions, but the 1990 event remains a powerful touchstone for how Argentina celebrates its footballers, even in defeat.

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What happened was impressive for all of us. Especially for the older ones, who knew that a very beautiful cycle was ending. The people's gesture was moving. It took us more than five hours from the airport to the government house. We were beaten down and so much affection lifted us up.