Galáctiloco en Madrid
On Monday night, Real fans were presented with the world's most expensive footballer in a scarcely-believable ceremony of pomp, extravagance and fantasy. It would have befitted the return of the messiah.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo looked overawed by the whole thing, the €96 million man temporarily stunned at his reception as the latest Galáctico to have finally landed at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
It was incredible! Such a show of excess. But that's Real Madrid. Nothing else would do.
The din was unbelievable as we waited expectantly for the arrival of Madrid's latest hero. Tension building, hearts beating faster, eyes popping wider. A mexican wave rippled around the stadium as the crowd roared down the blaring speakers. And still people poured in. Half an hour to go, they announced the stadium was full, prompting another roar from the delirious crowd. TVs showed more still pouring out of the metro and running to the stadium. Running! Mass hysteria all round. They were left to run around like disappointed headless chickens outside.
A video of greats, past and present, was played with Pavarotti providing the soundtrack. Casillas, Zidane, Figo, Raúl, Roberto Carlos, Champions League triumphs, wonderful moments. The crowd worked into a frenzy, everyone going bananas. More goose bumps. It was madness!
Suddenly I realised I was hungry. Unlike in Berlin, there were no Brötchens und Bier laid on for the press. I guess in Madrid they don't need to butter up the journalists.
It could have been me, I thought. I shouldn't have concentrated so much on the studies.
Girls screamed, men roared, the paparazzi bayed: "Cristiano, Cristiano, aqui, aqui!"
He must have been hounded by them all day. While looking at the photographers with contempt, he somehow managed to smile for their cameras. He posed with the Real's record nine cups. One nine giving a thumbs up to the others.
A man in a suit gave him directions, pointing towards the still-not-satisfied photographers. Poor Ronaldo looked lost for a moment, and looked to Perez for support. He was left disappointed however: Puppet master Perez confirmed his €96 million star's duty to the cameras.
Chaos broke out at the end when sections of the crowd broke through a security presence ill-equiped to deal with the sheer numbers. Kids kicked up dust as they ran from police, and enamored girls screamed as they ran towards their hero. He was hurredly whisked away to safety.
Tonight it's the turn of young Karim Benzema. Next Galáctico report to follow shortly!
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