Madrid, July 06: Cristiano Ronaldo was undergoing medical test on Monday at Real Madrid before being introduced later in the day as the club’s latest signing before thousands of fans, completing a deal that makes him the most expensive player in the world.
The 2008 FIFA world player of the year is expected to get a hero’s welcome when he dons Real’s jersey for the first time at a ceremony at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium which is scheduled to get underway at 9 pm (1900 GMT).
Real acquired the 24-year-old Portuguese striker from Manchester United last month on a six-year deal worth 94 million euros (131 million dollars) and Spanish media reports that he will be paid 13 million euros each season.
He will team up with Kaka, the 2007 world player of the year, who signed with Real from AC Milan for 65 million euros from AC Milan in early June.
Kaka was officially unveiled on June 30 at the Bernabeu stadium before 55,000 fans, according to club figures, and Real expects an even higher turnout is expected for Ronaldo’s unveiling.
In a statement posted on its website, Real said Ronaldo’s unveiling “could very well make history”.
The current record turnout for an unveiling of a player goes to Argentina’s Diego Maradona who drew 75,000 people when he was presented at Naples in July 1984 after joining the Italian side from FC Barcelona.
Kaka was the first big name who construction magnate Florentino Perez signed since he returned in June for a second stint as president of Real.
Perez, who brought Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane to Real during his first term as the club’s president between 2000 and 2006, is seeking to rebuild a squad which trailed arch rival FC Barcelona last season by reviving his policy of signing football superstars.
—Agencies