The Portuguese forward, who has been handed the number nine jersey, was greeted by Alfredo di Stefano - considered the greatest player to have worn that particular shirt - Eusebio and Florentino Perez, the club president whose re-election prompted Ronaldo’s £80million signing from Manchester United.
“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.
“I didn’t expect a jam-packed stadium - this is truly impressive.”
Speaking at a press conference after his presentation, Ronaldo insisted that Real were “the closest club to my heart” - but admitted it was a wrench to leave England.
“Thank you to all (United) supporters, the boss (Sir Alex Ferguson), friends and team-mates - I’ve been there six years and have friends there. But people respect my decision,” he said.
“The great challenge now, and dream, is to play at Real Madrid but I’m going to miss many things in Manchester.”
The forward claimed he left Old Trafford, and Ferguson, on friendly terms.
“It was good,” he said of his departure. “My relationship with him was always good and will stay that way forever.
“I went to Manchester, spoke to them and everything was fine. Life goes on.”
Ronaldo also reiterated his belief that he was worth the vast sum paid for his services.
“I have always thought that the best clubs, to have the best players, have to pay - so Real Madrid did a good thing. It was a correct decision.
“I understand...it is not your everyday thing to manage these figures, but I’m happy to be the most expensive player in the history of football and
I’m going to prove that they paid good money for me and it was worth it.”
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Happy Valley Barry, San Francisco, California (07/07/2009 at 00:29)
rather good for United the last couple of years, but we sold him and now
need to move on and make a fuss about players that wear the Red shirt.
Can Ronaldo and Michael Jackson please be quiet.
Up the Reds
pocket (07/07/2009 at 00:38)
This team turned the one trick pony into the worlds greatest attacking player and he won everything possible.... not realising how this superb team made him look like a Portugese George Best who got it into his mind that HE was the reason for the success and took his selfish ways to the frantic circus of Madrid... it did take him a few years of flirting with the moraless presidents of Real to finally force Fergusons hand but he and "that Virus" got away with, lets be honest about this, murder!
The constant immoral courting of a player who was under contract for several years was not suprisingly ignored by fellow Madridista Sepp Blatter, when United had reported Madrid for tapping-up their star asset to the amazment of Sir Alex. Again this summer Blatter refused to be an impartial President of FIFA, and instead of stepping in and doing the right thing for the WORLD of football and stop this ridiculous transfer from taking place, Blatter actually praised the transfer.... despite slating Manchester City's attempt to sign Kaka in January...
The fact that Ronaldo got exactly what he wanted shows the player power in its full glory and that alongside with the crazy economics of football transfers is the cancer in world football...
Its a very very sad day for world football, where an £80m transfer was not only allowed to prevail, but was actually praised... there is now zero chance of FIFA inducting a transfer and salary cap, but then again Sepp Blatter is a very contradictive man isn't he!
We live in a very uneven free for all transfer market.... god help the lower divisions!
Sparky was the best ever (07/07/2009 at 05:13)
paul leigh (07/07/2009 at 06:37)
paul leigh (07/07/2009 at 07:05)
I don't agree with some that we have no creativity in midfield. Carrick is capable of putting together some lovely passes. Giggsy isn't finished yet and is more than useful in midfield. Anderson isn't just a midfield enforcer and we are not exactly struggling with width. It would be nice to get another big name in the middle but we are not so badly off as some might think.
Ronaldo may be gone but there is more than one way to skin a cat!!
oddpeder (07/07/2009 at 07:28)
Roy (07/07/2009 at 08:08)
palomablanca, manchester (07/07/2009 at 08:10)
john murray (07/07/2009 at 08:20)
Midfield General (07/07/2009 at 08:21)
We have been really put in the shade by Barca and RM. I would like to see a marquee signing arrive, just to let the football world know we are still competing.
Our claim of the biggest, most popular club in the world looks rather shallow after this summer. We have the best manager in the world, but not the best team, few of the best players and a financial model that is strangling us. Glazers - please sell up and let real football men run our club!
edinburgh red, edinburgh (07/07/2009 at 08:37)
My girlfriend said I was terrible for saying I hope he breaks his leg in the first game when he appeared but I calmed down a bit when his interview was played later and he was complimentry to Fergie and the team, so maybe a hamstring tweak or two instead.
Funniest thing yesterday was the young boy they rolled out for the circus who was supposed to pass the ball back to him after receiving it and ran away with it,followed by the ringmaster asking the boy who his favourite player was and he said kaka.
Midfield General (07/07/2009 at 09:49)
We have all seen the flaws in Ronnies game the last few years (a bit greedy, never tracks back, never tackles, behaves like a spoilt brat), and I wonder if these might be further exposed in Madrid.
I can guarantee Raul is looking at him with envy this morning, and will be looking to cement his place in the team. Looks to me that Raul is now 3rd or 4th choice, and that will mean trouble in the dressing room for the mean ahead of him.
With Kaka as a deep striker behind Benzema, Ronnie as a winger, Robben on the other flank, I wonder just who will win the ball for RM this year? They will be carrying 3 or 4 players who do little for their team, but do everything for themselves. I bet they win a few games 5-0, but also lose a few 3-0.
Pocket - Platini criticised the RM transfers. Please stop beleiveing the tabloid nonsense of Blatter/Paltini being anti-english.
tooth&claw, manchester (07/07/2009 at 09:49)
gillykins, urmston (07/07/2009 at 10:25)
Vishu, Bangalore,India (07/07/2009 at 10:26)
Will the Real Wayne Rooney please stand up!, Belfast (07/07/2009 at 10:27)
Midfield General (07/07/2009 at 10:38)
Good posts. Sick of people calling Ronnie and Fergie a liar.
You have dispelled the Ronnie "lie" and I can do the same for SAF.
He said "I wouldn't sell that MOB a virus" He did not say that CLUB. He was aiming it at the club mgmt of the time (who are crooks, pure and simple). They tried every possible underhand tactic, whereas Perez just runs up with a gargantuan cheque and says "its yours if you want it."
Is It Me? (07/07/2009 at 10:59)
Incidentally,don't lose friends on the way up as you may need them on your way down.
john murray (07/07/2009 at 11:12)
paul leigh (07/07/2009 at 11:39)
7/07/2009 at 08:21
Yesterday I stated that Real Madrids unveiling of Ronaldo in front of 80,000ish people was more like a circus and I was probably right.
What you have made me realise also and I am shamed to say this, is the unpalatable truth that I am jealous.
We're really going to miss the boy.
tooth&claw, manchester (07/07/2009 at 12:08)
Midfield General (07/07/2009 at 12:38)
7/07/2009 at 11:39
Yeah, I felt a bit of envy too. Suck it up, and breathe out the desire too start a new era for United. It justs makes me (and people like Fergie and Wayne) desparate, more than anything, to shove it in their smug faces.
We have four in a row as a challenge this year. Lets keep our focus and nail that historic achievement.
In europe, I still think RM are too weak at the back, Barca may well be still celebrating. Beyond those two we have as good a chance as anyone.
Life is sweet for United fans, lets not forget. I have 2 good mates who support Leeds and Sheff Wed. I find complaining and whingeing rather pathetic when you consider the plight of some fans.
Davey Boy, Kuwait (07/07/2009 at 12:39)
George Lyons (07/07/2009 at 13:09)
pocket (07/07/2009 at 13:30)