Barcelona  - Barcelona returned home Thursday with the Champions League trophy, to kick off a triumphant parade through the streets of the Catalan city, flanked by thousands of euphoric fans.

From the plane that took footballers back from Rome - where they beat Manchester United 2-0 Wednesday in the Champions League final - fluttered the club's red-and-blue flag.

Coach Josep Guardiola and captain Carles Puyol were the first to leave the aircraft, bearing the trophy. Behind them came club president Joan Laporta.

He proceeded to open a huge bottle of Champagne which all the players used to soaked themselves as they launched into celebrating an historic treble, with titles in La Liga and the King's Cup as well as the Champions League.

The players were to tour Barcelona's main streets - festooned with Barça's colours - before entering the Camp Nou stadium to be acclaimed by 100,000 fans.  (dpa)