50,000 welcome new galactico
Hola amigos: Kaka waves to fans during his official presentation at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Tuesday.Picture: AFP
Thursday, July 2, 2009
KAKA was officially presented as a Real Madrid player in a Hollywood-style show to around 50,000 fans at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Director general Jorge Valdano had promised president Florentino Perez's second spell at the helm would be a "super-production" and they did not disappoint with the presentation of their first signing.
"It is a very special day for me. I hope I can write my name in the club's history books with victories and conquests," a slightly overawed Kaka said from a stage on the pitch.
The doors of the stadium had been thrown open to the public who packed the stands around a stage decorated with the club's nine European Cups.
Perez was up first, greeted with chants from the fans as he thanked Kaka for choosing Real Madrid before the Brazilian was given a pop star welcome as he emerged to roars from the crowd.
The Brazilian playmaker was presented with the No 8 shirt used to be worn by Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago.
But Valdano explained that Gago wasn't on his way out. Instead, Gago was more than happy to cede his number to the new acquisition since defender Fabio Cannavaro's departure had given him a chance to swap shirts.
"Gago wanted to wear No 5 because as we Argentines know, it is the number that best identifies the holding midfield position," Valdano said. "At the same time, Kaka was excited about wearing No 8."
The Spanish giants have already sold more than 2,000 Kaka replica shirts, without any number on them.
Kaka had to be protected by bodyguards as he walked around the pitch to greet fans on Tuesday.
Some of them jumped over the barriers and tried to touch the former AC Milan player who cost Real €67 million.
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed for a world record fee of £80 million last week, will be presented on Monday in another event covered live on television and internet websites across the world.
The former Manchester United's winger is expected to take No 9, which is available with the departure of Argentine striker Javier Saviola to Benfica.
Spain defender Raul Albiol, who joined Real for a fee of €15 million from Valencia, is expected to be presented later this week.Agencies
Director general Jorge Valdano had promised president Florentino Perez's second spell at the helm would be a "super-production" and they did not disappoint with the presentation of their first signing.
"It is a very special day for me. I hope I can write my name in the club's history books with victories and conquests," a slightly overawed Kaka said from a stage on the pitch.
The doors of the stadium had been thrown open to the public who packed the stands around a stage decorated with the club's nine European Cups.
Perez was up first, greeted with chants from the fans as he thanked Kaka for choosing Real Madrid before the Brazilian was given a pop star welcome as he emerged to roars from the crowd.
The Brazilian playmaker was presented with the No 8 shirt used to be worn by Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago.
But Valdano explained that Gago wasn't on his way out. Instead, Gago was more than happy to cede his number to the new acquisition since defender Fabio Cannavaro's departure had given him a chance to swap shirts.
"Gago wanted to wear No 5 because as we Argentines know, it is the number that best identifies the holding midfield position," Valdano said. "At the same time, Kaka was excited about wearing No 8."
The Spanish giants have already sold more than 2,000 Kaka replica shirts, without any number on them.
Kaka had to be protected by bodyguards as he walked around the pitch to greet fans on Tuesday.
Some of them jumped over the barriers and tried to touch the former AC Milan player who cost Real €67 million.
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed for a world record fee of £80 million last week, will be presented on Monday in another event covered live on television and internet websites across the world.
The former Manchester United's winger is expected to take No 9, which is available with the departure of Argentine striker Javier Saviola to Benfica.
Spain defender Raul Albiol, who joined Real for a fee of €15 million from Valencia, is expected to be presented later this week.Agencies
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