To ensure the safety of the millions of fans that had flooded the streets of Buenos Aires, an open-air bus parade to honor Argentina’s World Cup winners had to be stopped partway through.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi and other teammates boarded helicopters instead for a flyover over the capital, which was billed by the government as an aerial parade.

“The world champions fly over the entire route on helicopters because land is impossible due to the explosion in people’s happiness,” Gabriela Cerruti wrote on social media.

Because of the large crowd, which was estimated at four million by local media citing sources police sources, the players could not reach the central Obelisk monument in Buenos Aires.

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Before the parade was cancelled, the bus had been traveling slowly for over four hours.

To celebrate the World Cup win, the Argentine president declared Tuesday a national holiday.

Sky News’ football journalist Tim Vickery said that “millions” of people had lined the streets in the capital, and he was “thinking it might go disastrously wrong” prior to the parade being cancelled.

“There were people trying to get onto the bus as the team bus passed under bridges.

Vickery stated that “the bus couldn’t move, there were too many people so they had to abandon the bus route.”

He said, “It seemed it was the safest choice because it really was looking too much.”

As temperatures rose to 30C, celebrities took control of highways and avenues leading into the capital.

Since Tuesday morning, thousands had set up camp at the Obelisk, the traditional location for celebrations.

After flying over the key points in Buenos Aires, where fans had gathered at the stadium, the helicopters carrying players returned to the headquarters for the Argentine Football Association (FA), outside the capital.

Claudio Tapia, the president of the association, blamed law enforcement for changing his plans.

He said, “They don’t allow us to greet all of the people at the Obelisk. The same security agencies who escorted them don’t allow us to go forward.”

“A thousand apologies for all the champion players. It is a shame.

Messi and the other players waved to the crowds as they lifted the World Cup trophy high after securing Argentina’s 3rd World Cup trophy. This was the first trophy since 1986, when Diego Maradona won the trophy.

Brian Andreassi (23), walked down the streets wearing the jersey of the team. “There are no words.”

“All Argentines are united in one thing: happiness and unity. Victoria Roldan said, “It’s almost as if you could breathe another air, there is another energy in it.” “My heart and body are about to explode.”

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Argentina team returns home to an ecstatic reception

Photos: Argentina celebrates Messi joining Maradona to bring home the World Cup

The team arrived in Argentina at Ezeiza Airport in the early hours on Tuesday. Despite it being 3am GMT, thousands waited with flags, flares, and banners to welcome their heroes home.

Around midday, thousands had already gathered in downtown Buenos Aires. Major roads were closed for the parade.

People waved banners in support of Messi or the late icon Maradona and played instruments, or climbed lampposts or bus stops.

Since Sunday’s dramatic win over France in Qatar, the Argentine capital has been partying hard. This has helped to mask economic woes in South America that are struggling with one of the highest rates of inflation.