It was a dream that even Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t have thought would come true as 80,000 plus packed into the Santiago Bernabeu to see Real Madrid’s unveiling of the world’s most expensive player, a record the 24 year old Portuguese International took from the hands of Diego Maradona.

Via FIFA

An estimated crowd of more than 80,000 crammed into Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium for the former Sporting Lisbon star’s presentation. That attendance swamped the estimated 55,000 that watched Kaka’s unveiling here last Tuesday, and is belived to be the biggest turn-out for a presentation since a reported 75,000 saw the arrival of Diego Maradona at Napoli from Barcelona in 1984.

Ronaldo, who was sporting the number nine on his Madrid kit as he was greeted on stage by club president Florentino Perez, honorary president Alfredo di Stefano and Portugal legend Eusebio, said of his presentation: “It’s been impressive, a very nice feeling. I didn’t expect a full stadium and to come onto the pitch and see this was incredible.”

“I am just so happy. For me, I have made my childhood dream a reality, which was to play for Real Madrid,” he said. Ronaldo’s move to Spain brings to an a six-year spell with United in the Premier League, during which time the Portugal international won a host of team and individual awards.

Image via RealMadrid