Nearly 80,000 fans turn up to greet world’s most expensive player

If you thought the media fanfare surrounding Kaka’s unveiling was excessive, it was nothing compared to the spectacle that saw Cristiano Ronaldo welcomed to Real Madrid.

Just under 80,000 fans piled into the Bernabeu for a glimpse of their latest box office signing, and some could barely contain their excitement: plenty of the balding, middle-aged security staff were called into action as hysterical fans raced onto the pitch to try and touch the tricky winger.

Rather than attempt to wrestle the hallowed number seven shirt away from Raul, Ronaldo has been given the number nine squad number. Fortunately, he trademarked the CR9 moniker back in January.

After receiving an introduction from Florentino Perez, C-Ron led the crowd with a shout of ‘Hala Madrid’, before doing some keep-ups like a performing monkey. Unfortunately, his abilities temporarily escaped him, and he lost control of the ball.

Check out footage from Cristiano’s first press conference after the jump. Our personal highlight: when asked who the best player in the world is, Kaka, Messi or himself, Ronaldo replies, “Madrid.”