By Felipe Silveira
Photos: Jefferson Bernardes/VIPCOMM

Porto Alegre had never seen anything like it. A huge party took over the streets of the state capital to welcome the world champions on December 19, 2006. At the Beira-Rio stadium around 40,000 supporters welcomed Internacional and wildly celebrated the Fifa World title won in Japan on December 17.

The biggest public party recorded in the history of Porto Alegre started early. At about 9:30, thousands of supporters were waiting for the stadium gates to open, where the champions would be welcomed by the red crowd seven hours later.

A huge parade follows Inter through the streets of Porto Alegre

There was also huge excitement in Canoas. Supporters took over the streets around the Air Base, where the squad would land. Houses, buildings and cars were decorated in the Inter colors. Banners on the footbridges over the highway hailed the world champions.

Fernandão shows the symbol of Inter?s win from the aircraft cabin

The plane carrying Inter arrived in Porto Alegre escorted by Air Force fighters, and flew over the Beira-Rio stadium before landing. The aircraft touched down at exactly 13:12. Two large Inter flags fluttered from the plane?s cabin. The first to disembark was the club president, Fernando Carvalho. Wrapped in the club?s flag, the manager greeted the supporters at the military base. Soon after, Fernandão emerged wrapped in a Brazilian flag with the Fifa cup in his hands. ?We were really keen to get back to Brazil. Winning a title like this, you really have to have a great party. It was hard, it was tough, against one of the best teams in the world,? said the captain.

Fernando Carvalho disembarks in Porto Alegre after the victory in Japan

The coach, Abel Braga, left the plane wearing a headband decorated with Japanese characters. Surrounded by dozens of journalists, the team?s trainer celebrated their return to Brazil. ?It?s good to be back in Porto Alegre. Especially after a victorious trip to Japan,? he said.

Abel Braga is welcomed by the governor, Germano Rigotto

The most coveted cup in the world was in the hands of Clemer. The goalkeeper would not let go of it, while soldiers from the air base posed next to him for souvenir photographs. ?Now it?s time to celebrate! The cup also belongs to the supporters,? said Clemer.

Once they had disembarked, the group was given a brief tribute by the governor, Germano Rigotto, who awarded the ?Mérito Rio Grandense? medal to the members of the squad. Rigotto praised Inter?s performance in Japan. ?The title won by Inter shows the strength of football in the state. All the players are to be congratulated for the determination they showed in Japan,? said the governor, during the improvised ceremony at the Air Base.

Fernando Carvalho receives the 'Mérito Riograndense' from Germano Rigotto

The players and technical squad then climbed onto two fire trucks to start the procession to the Beira-Rio stadium. The world champions left the Air Base at 13:50. The first vehicle carried the players with the Fifa cup.  Abel Braga, Fernando Carvalho and the members of the technical squad followed behind on the other truck.

The champions parade on a fire truck (Rodney Silva)

A few meters into the Avenida Augusto Severo in Canoas, the players could have an idea of the mammoth party that would accompany them along the entire route of almost 25 kilometers. Thousands of supporters gathered along the route to the highway to greet Inter. Behind the truck was an enormous line of motorcycles and cars escorting the winning team. In the air, helicopters from the press and the Military Brigade accompanied the mass of red supporters. Not even the 34ºC-heat could melt the enthusiasm of the fanatic supporters.

The fire truck with the world champions was followed by thousands of red supporters in the streets of the state capital

After the packed celebrations of the fans in Canoas, the convoy entered the BR-116 highway at 14:35, heading for the Beira-Rio stadium. Dozens of cars joined in along the way, forming a huge traffic jam. Trucks, cars and motorcycles sounded their horns. Supporters ran around the truck, trying to keep up with the celebrating players. At the entry to Porto Alegre, the Laçador Monument was completely covered with the Inter colors. A multitude of people joined the convoy in the Avenida Farrapos, all wanting a close view of the new owners of the world.

The Laçador monument was covered with the colors of the new world champions

The Military Brigade estimates that about 650,000 supporters assembled to welcome Inter, but no serious incidents were recorded. The red mass just wanted to celebrate.

The fire truck reached Avenida Mauá, in the city center at 15:30, to find another great concentration of supporters. A real sea of red took over the avenue. The windows of apartment and office blocks flew flags and displayed posters of the world champion team. Banners saying ?Abel is God? and ?Sorry, Adriano? could also be seen. The city center stopped to watch Inter go past.

A sea of red in Mauá (Rodney Silva)

When it seemed impossible for the party to get any bigger, there was another surprise: in the Avenida Beira-Rio, just a few meters from the stadium entrance, a huge crowd was waiting for the truck carrying the players. The truck entered the Gigante stadium with some difficulty. A firework display lasting more than five minutes interrupted the Porto Alegre afternoon. The excitement at the Beira-Rio was as intense as at the Libertadores Cup final.

Supporters pack the Beira-Rio to welcome Inter

Inside the stadium, about 40,000 supporters made a moving spectacle as they awaited the arrival of the world champions. Musical shows on a stage mounted on the pitch occupied the crowd. Firefighters sprayed water onto the stands to keep the fans cool. The electronic scoreboard recorded the result: Inter 1, Barcelona 0, recalling the historic victory at the World final.

Back home: players meet the fans

The Beira-Rio roared. Porto Alegre came to a standstill. At 16:33 the players were coming out of the tunnel. The supporters exploded as if a goal had been scored. Finally, the long-awaited moment had arrived. One by one the players came onto the pitch. To the sounds of the club anthem, Inter was ecstatically welcomed by its loyal supporters.

A ceremony similar to the Fifa World final awards was organized on the pitch. When Fernadão raised the most important cup in the club?s 97-year history the Beira-Rio exploded in a joint cry. ?The champions!? Then a shower of silver paper rained down on the champions, while fireworks exploded in the center of the pitch. The excitement took over the stands. Uncontrollable smiles, tears, and animation spread over the face of each supporter. They were all so grateful to be able to experience such a sublime moment.

A magical moment: Clemer raises the cup at the Beira-Rio

The players unexpectedly headed towards the Popular Fans behind the goal at the electronic scoreboard end, as thanks for their unconditional support throughout the season, the world champions raised the cup in front of the loyal supporters, who replied singing the traditional ?The Reds, the Reds, nothing will keep us apart.? There was total empathy between the fans and the team. Beira-Rio emanated a united energy.

Clemer carries the cup during the lap of honor at the packed Beira-Rio

Overflowing with happiness, the players started their lap of honor. Alongside the wall separating the pitch from the stands, the champions greeted the supporters. Fans on the pitch held onto the players. Adriano, the scorer of the goal against Barcelona, was one of the most congratulated. ?I?ve never seen anything like it. It?s a really impressive party,? said the midfielder.

At the end of the traditional lap of honor, the players went to the front of the Members? stand just below the press boxes. The polycarbonate roof over the access to the pitch was transformed into an improvised stage where Clemer and Fernadão displayed the World cup to the supporters. Speaking through a microphone, the pair sent messages to the fans and continued to urge on the celebrations in the stands.

Fernandão (L) and Clemer lead the party with the supporters

?This is a magic moment. We?re supporters, red at heart before anything else. It?s a Christmas present for all of you,? said Clemer over the stadium sound system.

Fernandão swiftly took over the party with the microphone, ?Come on, Come on Inter!? sang the captain, recalling one of Inter?s chants. He then made an emotional speech. The 40,000 supporters went silent to listen to the message from their idol. ?Congratulations for the party you?re giving us. I nearly cried twice during the procession. You deserve this victory!?

The fans soon shouted the war cry that follows Fernandão?s career at Inter. ?Uh, Fernandão! Uh, Fernandão!? and ?Uh he?s a terror, Fernandão?s out to get ya!? The supporters shouted the names of all the players who had been in Japan. The club president, Fernando Carvalho, was also mentioned during the celebrations along with Inter?s new revelations, Luiz Adriano, and Alexandre Pato. The fans light-heartedly sang a song for the famous Barcelona mid-striker. ?Ronaldinho, off you go!  Who needs you if they?ve got Pato?? they joked.

Fernandão signs autographs: an unforgettable day at the Beira-Rio

Tireless, despite a 40-hour trip, the players separated for individual celebrations with the supporters. The fans would not leave the Beira-Rio. Everyone wanted to enjoy the magic moment to the full. Only at about 18:00 did the crowd begin to disperse, and the players head for the dressing room. However, the party continued in the streets of Porto Alegre with the same rhythm it had started with ten hours previously. Judging by the scale of the victory in Japan and the fans? love for Inter, the celebrations look like going on for some time longer.