Madridistas packed the Bernabeu to get a glimpse of their new idol Cristiano fever

www.realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium rolled out the red carpet to greet Cristiano Ronaldo. Tens of thousands of fans gathered at the White Colosseum to get a glimpse of their new idol, packing the stands as if they were about to watch a game. A giant screen was installed outside the Bernabeu for those who wished to follow the presentation nearby.

The stadium opened its gates at 19:00 so that 75,000 people could attend the presentation of a player. Many of them waited for hours outside the stadium gates to get a seat.

It isn't every day that one gets the chance to see one of the biggest football stadiums in the world packed for an event different from a match. This was truly an historical day at Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo follows in the footsteps of Secretario and Figo Third Portuguese Madridista

www.realmadrid.com / Alberto Navarro / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Carlos Secretario was the first Portuguese. The next to arrive was Luis Figo, role model for Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 24 is Real Madrid's latest signing and already has a spectacular track record.

Carlos Secretario (1996/97)
The right back was the first Portuguese player at Real Madrid. He was only at the Club for a year and a half and didn’t really perform well enough to become a starter. He joined Porto after leaving Madrid, becoming pivotal in the club’s best run in the modern football era. He won one UEFA Cup and a Champions League coached by Mourinho.

Luis Figo (2000-05)
Like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo was signed by Florentino Perez. He was the President’s first signing and helped bring glamour back to the team’s right wing, which was still suffering from Michel’s departure. Figo was an amazing dribbler and served impressive assists to his team-mates. Infallible in set pieces, he formed a great partnership with Raul both on and off the pitch. His arrival at Real Madrid attracted much media attention because he came from eternal foe Barcelona; the signing indeed caused a rift between both clubs. He played for the Whites for five years, the most successful of his career; he won La Liga, the Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup.

Cristiano: "I've never felt anything like what I felt at the Bernabeu today" "Real Madrid was my dream"

www.realmadrid.com / Alvaro Velasco / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Cristiano Ronaldo gave his first press conference as a Real Madrid player right after his official presentation.

What position would you like to play in?
I haven’t always played as a striker. I prefer to play down the wing, but I wouldn’t mind playing as a striker.
What word defines your presentation day?
Impressive.

Is it going to be hard for you to sleep today?
I’m sure I’ll sleep well. I’m tired.

What did you think of when you saw 80,000 people at the stadium?
It was a beautiful sensation. I loved it. I didn’t expect the stadium to be full. This is a dream come true. I thought of my parents. I felt the fans are fond of me already. I want to pay them back for that. I know I’ll feel more pressure here than at Manchester United, but I have faith in myself and I am ambitious. I want the league to begin to do my absolute best.

What would you like to say to the people at Manchester United?
I think about my former team-mates and bosses. I had a great relationship with them for six years. My team-mates respect my decision. Real Madrid is a dream and a great challenge to me. This is my new home and I will give 100% for this shirt.

What did Di Stefano say to you?
It was very special to meet him. He is a legend. It was the same as meeting Bobby Charlton at Manchester United. He wished me luck. I am very grateful to him. It was one of the best moments of my life.

What do you think of the money your transfer has cost?
I’ve always said a club must pay a lot of money to get the best players. I want to prove that they made the right decision. I understand many of the comments that have been made, but I’m happy for being the most expensive player in the Club’s history. It makes me feel proud.

Did you think about how hard it’s been for you to get here when you entered the dressing room?
Yes. To play for Real Madrid was my life’s ambition. I wanted to change clubs and this is the one I regard to be the best. It is special to kiss this shirt for the first time. I felt special emotions.

Will you make Real Madrid win the European Cup again?
I won’t play alone. I will be part of the team and I will do my best to help it win the Champions League. We have a great team and a great coach. We will take things slowly at first and then we’ll think about the Champions League. We have to do a good job.

Joining Cristiano in the dressing room

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Fourty minutes prior to his presentation, Cristiano Ronaldo had his first look at his new dressing room. "I had never been here before, and it's fantastic." He knew that just meters away waited 80,000 fans.

The Cristiano Ronaldo show began in the dressing room, where the Portuguese star gave us a glimpse of his ball skills. One touch after the other on a miniture set surrounded by cables and lights. The ball never hit the grund as the acrobatics grew more impressive. It was his way of warming up and preparing for what awaited; hi s way of relieving the stress. As soon as Jorge Valdano walked in Cristiano asked the Director General what kind of surface he would be setting foot on. "Similar to the dressing room," reponded Valdano, and Cristiano immediately calmed down. He didn't want any mistakes so that everything was just perfect.

He knew the date, 6 July 2009, that was embossed on his shirt would go down in history. "Is this the biggest presentation ever?" he asked. "Yes, it's broken all the records," replied those on hand. He smiled and continued working the ball.

He had previously been put through an intense photo session. Spectacular photos because he poses so professionally knowing how important his image is to the club. He humbly took orders from the photographers and posed with several different shirts with his name written in Arabic, Chinese and Japanese.

Ten minutes away from the presentation, Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez walked in. Ronaldo continued displaying his skills. "How well do you play?" he asked the President, who replied, "I'll leave the playing to you, my friend." The two chatted for several minutes and the dressing room slowly emptied out, leaving nothing but the player behind. The silence was a stark contrast to the 119 decibels recorded as he appeared on the pitch.

Ronaldo kissed the cross on his necklace and got his last touch on the ball before making his way out of the tunner. His game begins now.

Legendary Portuguese player Eusebio will attend Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation Invited by Real Madrid

www.realmadrid.com / Patricia del Moral / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Eusebio is one of the best Portuguese players in history and that's why Real Madrid have invited him to attend Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation. The legendary player had luch with veterans Alfredo di Stefano, Santamaria, Zoco, Amancio, Pachin and Butragueño.

Eusebio was one of the best forwards of the 1960s. FIFA considers him to be one of the best European players of the 20th Century and he is currently in ninth place on the IFFHS' 50 Best Players of the 20th Century list. Eusebio was the leader at Benfica for 15 years (1960-1975), winning ten league titles, two European Cups and five Cups of Portugal. He won several individual accolades, such as the Ballon d'Or (1965), the Golden Ball in the 1966 World Cup and the Golden Boot in 1968 and 1973.

Today is a very special day for Cristiano Ronaldo. He will be officially presented as Real Madrid's new player at 21:00 CET, an event nobody wants to miss; more than 200 different media platforms will be in the stadium to cover it.

Ready to get the ball rolling

www.realmadrid.com

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking forward to returning to work. The Porrtuguese who may play for Real Madrid is relishing the opportunity to play side by side with players like "Kaka, Casillas, Raul and Guti."

"Negotiations are still not concluded, but I want to begin the preseason as soon as they are. I first want to stay here for a few days and rest up so that I am in perfect shape when I arrive. The truth is that I'm eager to start."

"My goal is based on one challenge after the next. Such was the case in Manchester. This will be quite different because everything is new to me. I know expectations are high, but I have to get used to it. I have a notion of what I am and what I can do. I have to relax with my family for now so that I am in the best shape physically and pyschologically when I arrive in Madrid."

"Real Madrid is the club in which I've always wanted to play. I am very grateful for the effort made on my behalf."

""It will be good to play with Kaka, a player who was the Ballon d'Or, the best in the world, but also with Raul, Casillas and Guti."

"The goal is to win titles. Madrid are used to winning, just as Manchester United are. I am very excited and I am sure everything will turn out well."

"It may be complicated at the beginning because I spent the last six years in Manchester. Football in England is more physical and faster. It takes time to adapt to any kind of football no matter how good you are. I just hope to adapt as quickly as possible."

Cristiano Ronaldo had his first interview with the Club’s official media“This is a dream come true”

Cristiano Ronaldo had his first interview with the Club’s official media

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Cristiano Ronaldo had his first interview with the Club’s media. The player said he is delighted with his signing and that he is anxious for the season to start.

Welcome to Real Madrid.

Thank you.

This is obviously a very important day for you.

Of course. This is the day of my presentation, a spectacular day. I am very happy with everything that’s happening to me and I am anxious to play.

Is this a dream come true for you?

Of course it is. I’ve said several times that this is where I wanted to be and I want to do much for this great club.

You’ve won plenty at just 24. Are you still as ambitious?

I think one always has to win, especially at this club. It will be a great challenge in my life because this is an ambitious and very demanding club, but I believe both Real Madrid and I will achieve great things. My intention is to do the same things I did at Manchester United and to maintain or increase my ambitions. I have enough faith in myself, in the team, in the President and in the coach. I think we can achieve great things.

You said you wanted to pay the President and his Board back for their efforts to bring you here.

Naturally. I’ve always manifested the respect I have for this club. I think I had to end up here after everything that’s happened. The President has worked very hard to get me here and I am very grateful to him. He is a very intelligent person and I think he’s doing what’s best for the Club. He has signed several of the best players in the world and I believe we are going to have a great team.

Do you like the new project?

Of course I do. I think it is a very important project based on having a very solid team. The players on the squad and those who have just arrived are very good. It is a luxury to have such a squad.