The Spanish national football team received a hero's welcome upon their return, with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia greeting players and staff at Zarzuela Palace on Monday. The royal couple, accompanied by their daughters Princesses Leonor and Sofía, met with the team after their World Cup final victory on Sunday.
Spain secured their triumph against Argentina in extra time, with Barcelona star Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal. The defeat left Argentina's Lionel Messi in tears at the final whistle. The King had previously been on the pitch at New York New Jersey Stadium to celebrate Spain's advancement to the final, where he was seen embracing young player Lamine Yamal.
Princesses Leonor and Sofía wore customized football shirts bearing their names and admired the World Cup trophy. Queen Letizia wore a red linen dress by Adolfo Domínguez, while King Felipe sported a navy blazer and grey trousers. The Royal Family posed for photographs with the squad, holding up their shirts.
In contrast to the Spanish celebration, the Argentinian team opted not to watch Spain lift the trophy, instead turning their backs towards their own fans. This followed a physical match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Argentina's tactics, which had previously unsettled England, were unable to disrupt Spain's play. After collecting their silver medals from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump, the Argentinian squad walked away as Spain celebrated.
Footage captured the Spanish players holding the World Cup trophy aloft amidst a shower of gold confetti, while the Argentinian team faced the opposite direction. The final match reportedly drew between 1.5 and 1.8 billion viewers. President Trump and his wife Melania were present at the stadium, alongside other dignitaries including FIFA President Infantino, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum. Argentinian President Javier Milei reportedly watched the game from home.
Earlier in the week, members of the Spanish Royal Family had expressed their excitement for the team's progress. Following Spain's 2-0 victory against France in the semi-finals, the Royals were seen celebrating enthusiastically, with King Felipe hugging his wife and daughters. They posted a congratulatory message on Instagram, acknowledging the team's status as one of the world's great teams and encouraging them to fight for the title.
The team's journey to the final also saw discussions regarding the fashion choices of some Royal Family members. Ahead of the semi-final match against France, Queen Letizia and Princesses Leonor and Sofía attended the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards in Barcelona. Some observers noted that the colors of their outfits—a dark blue suit for the Queen, a red look for Leonor, and a white suit for Sofía—appeared to resemble the French flag, drawing mixed reactions online.
One notable player was Lamine Yamal, who wore a headband with the postcode of his Catalonian home district. Yamal played a key role in Spain's semi-final win, earning the penalty that led to their initial lead against France. Spain's performance in that match showcased their midfield dominance and effective defense, sending a strong message to other competing nations.