Monday, July 6, 2009

Ronaldo welcomed by 80,000 fans


Cristiano Ronaldo was presented to a near-capacity crowd at the Bernabeu after completing the formalities of his £80m world-record move to Real Madrid.

The former Manchester United winger, 24, passed a medical on Monday before greeting almost 80,000 Real fans.

In his first public address to his new supporters the Portuguese international said that his transfer had "made my childhood dream a reality".

"I never imagined that fans would have such a feeling for me," he said.

"It was impressive. A special moment for me today."

Real Madrid saw Barcelona carry off the Spanish title, the Cope del Rey and the Champions League last season but Ronaldo played down any suggestion that his new employers could immediately replicate their bitter rivals' achievement.

"If we win only the Champions League I'm happy. We need to take it step-by-step and later we can think about winning the treble," he said. Earlier in the day he claimed La Liga was "superior" to English football.

Ronaldo said: "I think La Liga is going to have more quality because of the players that are arriving.

"All the players have a lot of quality and the referees protect the players."

In a press conference after his introduction to the fans, he predicted he would notice a difference between playing styles in the two countries.

"I expect a different league. I have played six years in the Premier League, it is very different. It is faster and players are strong, but here the small teams and the medium teams try and play football." he said.

Ronaldo arrived at Madrid airport just after midday local time and travelled to the Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja for his medical as he put the finishing touches on his world record move.

With Real president Florentino Perez's signings the Spanish league is superior to the English
Cristiano Ronaldo

"Ronaldo is in perfect condition and very eager to start the season as soon as possible." Carlos Diez, Real Madrid's medical chief, told www.realmadrid.com.

"He has an extraordinary cardiac and lung capacity. Now we will be able to start work, using an individual plan in order to improve his performance.

"For him (Ronaldo), it's a dream, and this dream starts to convert into reality from today."

The player agreed a six-year contract with Real after Man Utd reluctantly decided that they could no longer hope to hold onto him after six years at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo's arrival follows that of fellow big-money signing Kaka last week.

More than 50,000 fans turned out to welcome the Brazilian playmaker, who signed from AC Milan for a reported fee of £56m.

But in a statement posted on its website, Real said Ronaldo's unveiling "could very well make history", as hundreds started to queue up outside the Bernabeu as early as Monday morning.

The previous record turnout for an unveiling of a player goes to Argentina's Diego Maradona, who drew 75,000 people when he was presented at Naples in July 1984 after joining the Italian side from FC Barcelona.

Ronaldo was presented with the number nine shirt by the most famous player to wear it for the club - the legendary Alfredo di Stefano.

And he believes Real's £200m spending spree this summer, which has resulted in Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol agreeing to switch to the Bernabeu, edges the Spanish league ahead of England's top flight in terms of quality.

"Both leagues are going to be very good but I think that with Real president Florentino Perez's signings the Spanish league is superior to the English," Ronaldo stated.

"It's going to be a magnificent competition in Spain this year."

Real are reported to be lining up further big-money moves, with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso said to be on their wanted list.

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