Cristiano Ronaldo arrives in Madrid for Real presentation
July 6th, 2009 - 8:59 pm ICT by IANS
Madrid, July 6 (DPA) Cristiano Ronaldo flew in to Madrid at lunchtime Monday, in order to prepare for what promised to be a spectacular presentation to the Real fans Monday night.
Around 80,000 “Madridista” fans were expected to pack Real’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to welcome Ronaldo, world football’s most expensive player, to the club.
Real have paid Manchester United around 94 million euros (131.45 million dollars) for the 24 year-old Portuguese star, a record-breaking fee which has drawn criticism from Spanish Primie Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, from UEFA President Michel Platini and from various Spanish church leaders.
Ronaldo flew in to the Spanish capital accompanied by family members, friends and his personal chef.
He was due to undergo exhaustive medical tests Monday afternoon, sign his lucrative six-year contract - and then be presented to the fans.
It is expected that he will wear the number 9 shirt for Real, though this has not yet been confirmed by the club.
New Real president Florentino Perez has so far plashed out around 210 million euros - the biggest spending spree ever seen in football - on Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol.
According to Spanish media reports, Perez is prepared to spend up to 300 million euros building a team capable of challenging European champions Barcelona.
Apparently, his next targets are Franck Riberty of Bayern Munich, David Silva of Valencia and Liverpool pair Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
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- Liverpool confirm sale of Arbeloa to Real Madrid - Jul 29, 2009
- Fans of Real Madrid asking for winter signings - Dec 03, 2009
- Return of Perez raises expectations at Real Madrid - May 30, 2009
- Ronaldo released by Portugal because of ankle injury - Nov 11, 2009
- Real steal French striker Benzema from Man U - Jul 02, 2009
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Tags: alvaro arbeloa, bayern munich, church leaders, cristiano ronaldo, david silva, european champions, jose luis zapatero, karim benzema, manchester united, medical tests, michel platini, number 9, personal chef, raul albiol, spanish capital, spanish church, spanish media, spectacular presentation, spending spree, world football