They may have not managed to become world champions, but their fans welcomed them as if they had won the World Cup.

“Thank you, you have made us proud,” hundreds of people were shouting at the airport, who were gathered to welcome the national team and show them their love and support.

“You have proved to everyone that you have strength, passion and did your best on the field” said the president of Argentina,  Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who welcomed the national team at the facilities of Argentine Football Association.

“I just want to thank everyone for the welcome. I would have liked to have brought home the World Cup and enjoyed it with you. We did our best and gave everything we had, but we just didn’t manage it”, said Lionel Messi.