Messi flown out in helicopter as millions swarm team bus to celebrate World Cup victory

With millions of people out on the roads in Buenos Aires Tuesday to celebrate Argentina’s World Cup title, Lionel Messi and his team  mates were forced to abandon the planned open-top bus route and instead fly over the city in helicopters, according to media reports.

After crowds swarmed the team bus upon arrival at 3 a.m. at the airport, the planned trip through the city at midday was interrupted with at least 4 million people in the roads making it difficult for the bus to move ahead, according to Clarin.

There were also videos posted online of the helicopter arriving at an open ground to which the bus carrying the Argentina players was diverted.

Argentina football player Enzo Fernandez posted a picture of himself in a helicopter with a headset on and a presidential spokeswoman confirmed the players were flying over the crowds since the roads were clogged due to the “explosion of happiness.”

After President Alberto Fernandez declared a national holiday for the celebrations, the football-crazy nation, overwhelmed with joy after winning the World Cup descended into chaos.

This has raised questions over the poor planning and security failure to protect the team bus.

According to media reports, the players have been reluctant to meet government authorities in order to avoid mixing politics with sports. A visit to the presidential palace was ruled out by the football federation earlier in the day. When their plane touched down in the early hours of Tuesday at the international airport, Messi didn’t greet Interior Minister Eduardo de Pedro, who was waiting for the team on the tarmac.

Argentina’s political situation is highly polarized and a picture of politicians with Messi could have political implications as the country heads for general elections in October. The ruling Peronist coalition has seen approval ratings decline with annual inflation soaring close to 100%.