Argentina declares public holiday to celebrate World Cup triumph

• Argentina's government declared Tuesday a public holiday to mark its World Cup triumph.
• It said it wants the whole country to "express their deepest joy for the national team."

The Argentine government has declared Tuesday a public holiday so that the country can "express their deepest joy for the national team" winning the soccer World Cup.

Argentina beat France in a thrilling final in Qatar on Sunday to claim its third title. The country last won the contest in 1986.

The team arrived home in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, in the early hours of Tuesday and was greeted by thousands of fans, who lined the streets as the players travelled on an open-top bus to their Football Association's headquarters.

The main celebration are due to be at the capital city's Obelisk monument at midday local time, said the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

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Lionel Messi, the team's captain who scored twice in the final, said he can't wait to celebrate with the fans.

"I want them to wait for me, I can't wait to go there and enjoy it with them," he said, according to ESPN.