Ronaldo Unveiled As New Real 'Galactico'

 


Fifa World Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo was the man on centrestage at Bernabeu Stadium as he was presented to more 80,000 Real Madrid supporters who turned up to witness their new 'Galactico' on Monday.

After three long years of courting the Manchester United star, Real Madrid, with Florentino Perez back as club president, finally paid a world record fee of 80 million pound for the Portuguese golden boy.

It was Ronaldomania as the new Real kid presented himself to the Bernabeu crowd with Perez, Real Madrid's former legendary forward Alfredo Di Stefano and former Portugal star Eusebio keeping him company on stage.

It was a "dream come true" for Ronaldo who had dreamt of joining Spanish football aristocrats Real Madrid and play in the Primera Liga, as a boy. Now he has achieved his dream. According to the Real Madrid president, the capture of Ronaldo will "make millions of dreams come true." 

The adulation was close to hysteria and Ronaldo who likes to be worshipped by fans knew he had the adoring crowd in the palm of his hands.

"Hala Madrid!"

Michael Jackson Memorial

Thousands  gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to take part in the Michael Jackson memorial where the service started with a message from former South African president Nelson Mandela who said the King of Pop was "able to triumph over tragedy on so many occasions in his life". Smokey Robinson read out Mandela's condolences who said Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry.

Jackson's millions of fans around the world are following the public memorial which began shortly after a private service for the Jackson family and friends in a cemetery hall in the Hollywood Hills.

According to reports, Jackson's flower-draped 14-carat gold casket was brought to Staples Center in a motorcade under police escort.

Mariah Carey did a rendition of the Jackson 5 ballad "I'll Be There" to mark the opening performance of tributes to Michael.