Ronaldo Presented In Madrid

The £80million Portugal superstar was saluted by 80,000 delirious fans in the Bernabeu Stadium but had time to thank United fans and Fergie. Snippets from the press conference and The Sun:

He admitted his pride at being the most expensive footballer in the history of the game and hailed Manchester United boss Fergie and his Old Trafford team-mates.

He told the Madrid faithful: "This is my new home and my life is here now."

"I have to say thank you to all their supporters, my boss, my friends, my team-mates, because I've been six years at the club and I have a good relationship with the people there. But they understand my decision and they respect that.

"My dream is to play for Madrid. I'm going to miss Manchester but this is my new home. This is my new life and I'm going to give 100 per cent for this club. Today I have fulfilled my lifelong dream."

When David Beckham joined Madrid only 5,000 fans turned up to see his presentation at the club's old training ground.

Last night 60,000 people were already crammed into the streets surrounding the Bernabeu a full three hours before the event was due to start. Quite reminiscent of all the unemployed Geordies don't you think?

Ronaldo, who strolled into the stadium wearing the revered No 9 shirt of Real's legendary striker Alfredo di Stefano, relished the huge fee his new club have shelled out for him and he insisted his farewell to Fergie was amicable and revealed he went to Manchester to speak to the man who turned him into the world's top player.