Photos: FIFA World Cup champs Germany arrive home to heroes' welcome

[caption id=“attachment_1620737” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  Germany edged Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final to lift their fourth title. The players were given a grand welcome by the fans as they arrived home. The plane transporting the German national football team flies over the “Quadriga” statue on the Brandenburg Gate at the “Fanmeile” area, where fans gathered to welcome players and members of Germany’s football national team at Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their title win. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620747” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  Germany’s defender Philipp Lahm (front) holds the World Cup trophy aloft as he and Germany’s midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (2ndR) get off their airplane at Berlin airport Tegel on their return from Brazil: AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620749” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  German national football team players cheer as they ride in an open-deck bus to Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their title win. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620753” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  The man in charge of building this strong German machine: Coach Joachim Loew allows himself some rare emotion as he celebrates during a victory parade. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620755” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  One for social media: (L-R) Bastian Schweinsteiger, Per Mertesacker, Manuel Neuer, Kevin Grosskreutz and Lukas Podolski wrap themselves in national flags and pose with the trophy on a stage at the “Fanmeile” area. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620761” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  German fans celebrate as (L-R) Germany’s midfielder Toni Kroos (L), Germany’s midfielder Mario Goetz (2ndL) and Germany’s striker Miroslav Klose (R) walk - or rather skip - across the stage installed for a victory parade. The players were enjoying every moment of the celebrations. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620763” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  Germany’s unsung hero of the World Cup, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger wears the national flag as he drinks in the adulation: AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620765” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  Golden Glove winner, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer demonstrates his more than impressive leaping skills. Just like on the field, he was having a ball during the parade. AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620769” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  Too much class in one picture: Germany’s top goal scorer, Thomas Mueller, and Golden Glove winner ‘sweeper keeper’ Manuel Neuer are still celebrating: AFP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_1620791” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  What are they singing? Germany and Arsenal teammates Lukas Podolski (R) and Per Mertesacker engage in some epic fist pumping while carrying the German flag during the parade. AFP[/caption]