Intro:

Lionel Messi reflects on Argentina finishing as runners-up at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, after La Albiceleste receive a heroes' welcome in the capital Buenos Aires.

Script:

World Cup runners-up Argentina were welcomed home by thousands of fans in the capital Buenos Aires on Monday.

Alejandro Sabella's side were beaten 1-0 in extra-time by Germany in Rio's iconic Maracanã.

Gonzalo Higuain wasted Argentina's best chance in the first half. What might have been.

This was supposed to be the moment when Lionel Messi finally filled Diego Maradona's boots but the Barcelona star was subdued.

The 27-year-old said La Nuestra gave everything to lift the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Argentina's captain went on to praise the team for keeping Germany at bay for 113 minutes. He said the side have proved their critics wrong by reaching the final and showing that they're a spectacular team, with a strong team spirit. Finally, Messi vowed to bring more joy to the country.

Throughout the World Cup Argentinians have sung to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Bad Moon Rising. But it's Germany who rose the highest of them all.