Footy Speak

Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled as a Real Madrid player amongst 80,000 Real Madrid fans, at the Bernabeu. He had to be whisked to safety as security worried that a pitch invasion could occur. Ronaldo was given the number 9 jersey.

“I am just so happy to be here,” he said to a rapturous reception from the gathered thousands.

“For me, I have made my childhood dream a reality, which was nothing less than playing for Real Madrid.”

He added: “I didn’t expect a jam-packed stadium – this is truly impressive.”

Perez claimed Monday night’s events “might not have a precedent”.

“We are very satisfied to know that you made the firm decision to play for Real Madrid,” Perez said.

He told Ronaldo what to expect from his new adoring fans, adding: “They will ask of you the very best, but will also give you their all.”

Ronaldo is the third player to be unveiled by Madrid since Perez returned to the presidency at the start of June, following in the footsteps of Kaka and Raul Albiol.

Monday night’s attendance at the Bernabeu swamped the estimated 55,000 that watched Kaka’s unveiling here last Tuesday, and is believed to be the biggest turn-out for a presentation since a reported 75,000 saw the arrival of Diego Maradona at Napoli from Barcelona in 1984.

On the subject of the number he has been given, recently vacated by Javier Saviola, Ronaldo said: “I wanted seven, but nine is also a mythical number, it always makes me happy.

“The numbers do not play. I will try to do things the same way, regardless of the number on my shirt.”

He has a line of clothing under the moniker CR7, the number he wears for Portugal and formerly at Manchester United.

Earlier on Monday Ronaldo, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, successfully completed his medical with Madrid after landing in the Spanish capital just after midday.