The Argentina squad have been forced to abandon their open-top bus parade and take to helicopters after two people attempted to jump into their vehicle.
La Albiceleste returned to Buenos Aires after winning the World Cup with a penalty shootout defeat of France in Sunday's final. After staying at the Argentina Football Association's headquarters, they then took to an open-top bus.
Huge crowds of fans gathered along the expected route, with more than five million people estimated to have taken to the streets of the capital. The sheer size of the the crowds forced a late change of the route, with the bus kept on the 25 de Mayo motorway.
With the bus travelling at a snail's pace and surrounded by fans, two men then tried to jump on from a bridge. One hung from a railing for several seconds before dropping safely onto the bus floor.
But another man mistimed his jump and crashed off the back of the bus before falling headfirst to the ground. It was not clear if he had survived his fall, but security officials soon decided to cut the parade short.
Instead, the squad were taken to a secure field where two Argentine Navy helicopters were waiting for them. After boarding the choppers, the team flew along the rest of the route as their adoring fans clapped and cheered below.
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The squad were then flown back to the AFA headquarters near Ezeiza Airport, nearly five hours after departing on their tour. AFA president Claudio Tapia apologised on Twitter for the late change of plans, but insisted the decision had been taken out of their hands.
“They don't let us get to greet all the people who were at the Obelisk, the same Security agencies that escorted us, don't allow us to move forward. A thousand apologies on behalf of all the Champion players. A pity," Tapia wrote on Twitter.
Before taking to the bus, captain Lionel Messi posted a fresh message on Instagram. Alongside a video of his career, the superstar paid tribute to those who had helped him to finally realise his life-long dream.
"From Grandoli to the Qatar World Cup took almost 30 years. It was close to three decades when the ball gave me many joys and also some sorrows. I always had a dream of being a World Champion," he wrote.
"I didn't want to stop trying, even knowing that maybe I would never give up. This Cup we got is also from all those who did not make it in the previous World Cups we played, like in 2014 in Brazil.
"It's also from Diego who encouraged us from heaven. And of course, it's from all this beautiful group that was formed and of the technical team and all the people of the national team who, being anonymous, work day and night to make it easier for us.
"Many times failure is part of the journey and learning and without the disappointments it is impossible for success to come.. Thank you very much from my heart! Let's go Argentina!"
