10 kilometers per hour, 100 heartbeats per minute
Explanada Puente del Rey - also known as "of the Spanish National Football Team" since the celebration of the 2010 World Cup - got the party started early. After 8:30 PM, warmth and color took over the stage and shortly after artists began to come out one by one. Vicco, Camela, Farga, Michenlo, and Juan Magán entertained the audience of around 20,000 people, gathered by the RFEF and the Women's National Team, world champions; yet they had to compete for attention with the giant screens showing the international players getting closer.
At 9:15 PM, the plane landed on Adolfo Suárez - Madrid Barajas Airport's runway. Shortly after, Ivana was the first to descend the stairs, accompanied by Jorge Vilda and Luis Rubiales, followed by her 22 teammates.
From the stairs, a photo in front of the aircraft, and from there to the first bus: the one taking them to the terminal. Then, onto the second: the official one, which would take them to their open-top bus that would allow them to be part of the action and cheers from all of Madrid and all of Spain.
Perhaps during this second bus change, they began to truly realize the magnitude of everything that was occurring. That spot, which had not actually been announced, was already filled with fans asking for their first autographs.
Taking their seats with a soundtrack of excited cheers must have been a remarkable moment. And it was just the beginning of a journey at around 10 kilometers per hour, where their heartbeats surely must have been racing.
Puerta de Alcalá, Cibeles, Gran Vía, Plaza de España... The route was adorned with red and yellow flags and cardboard signs with messages of encouragement, support, and gratitude for providing today's girls, the players of the future, with role models of success.
Posing with the World Cup trophy from that bus must be an indescribable feeling for the 23 players who fulfilled their dream this Sunday. Arriving on that bus at Puente del Rey, where thousands of people await, must be like raising the stakes when you think nothing can surprise you more on a day like this.
It has been a beautiful dream that now remains forever in the form of a star on the chest of our shirts.
On behalf of all the girls in Spain, a message to those 23 players: thank you. Thank you for everything.
