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Agence France-Presse

Thousands of delirious Real Madrid fans called for Cristiano Ronaldo to win a fifth Ballon d’Or on Sunday as the Spanish giants paraded the Champions League trophy for a record 12th time.
Ronaldo scored twice in Real’s 4-1 thrashing of Juventus in Cardiff on Saturday as Madrid became the first side to retain the Champions League.
Sporting a newly cropped haircut, Ronaldo was the star of a spectacular lights and firework show as 81,000 fans crammed into Real’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
“Cristiano Ballon d’Or,” the Portuguese sang along with the fans as he was lifted into the air by his teammates.
Ronaldo is the hot favourite to win the annual award for the best player in the world for a fifth time that would see him equal Barcelona rival Lionel Messi’s record as Real also beat out Barca to win La Liga.
“The truth is it has been a spectacular season,” added Ronaldo.
It is the first time Madrid have won both La Liga and the Champions League in the same season for 59 years.
“Thanks for the love you have shown since the first match,” said Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
“We knew this season was going to be different.
‘Young boy’ Ronaldo still hungry for glory after firing Real Madrid to another Champions League win
“The team has worked hard from the first minute ... we have done a marvellous double.”
Earlier, overseen by strict security measures, the Madrid squad greeted local government dignitaries before parading the famous trophy in an open top bus around the Cibeles fountain in the city centre where thousands of fans had gathered.
“The players have entered into the legend of Real Madrid and of football, as has our coach,” said club president Florentino Perez, as he reserved special praise for Zinedine Zidane.
“He is the only one to win two consecutive Champions Leagues,” added Perez. “That is why he is already the best coach in the world.”
The Frenchman, who won the Champions League as a legendary player for Real between 2001 and 2006, has enjoyed spectacular success since taking his first role in senior management just 18 months ago.
“I want to thank all of you,” Zidane told fans as chants of his name rang around the Bernabeu.
Juventus bar Zidane’s path to history with Real Madrid in mouthwatering Champions League final
“This is what we are here for. It has been a spectacular year thanks to you and in the end we won the double.”
A third Champions League win in four years has drawn comparisons to the great Real side that won the first five editions of the European Cup between 1955 and 1960.
“I feel like this is the best team in history,” Alvaro Mora, a fan who had travelled over 500 kilometres from the southern city of Almeria to take in the celebrations, said.
And like Real’s performance on the pitch at the Principality Stadium as they tore the Italian champions apart with goals from Casemiro and Marco Asensio adding to Ronaldo’s double, there was no sign of the Madrid fans’ tiring of success.
“It is the best thing that could happen,” said Colombian shop worker Jose Ordonez, 54, who took in the festivities with his two sons.
“We promised to return and we have returned as champions,” added Ramos as the squad visited the home of Madrid’s local government and the city hall.
“I hope to return many more times and that we can celebrate many more titles.”


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Uefa Champions League

Adoring Real Madrid fans demand Ballon d’Or for Champions League hero Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid players celebrate with the trophy under confetti during a celebration event held at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium after their Uefa Champions League win. Photo: AFP

epa06010971 Real Madrid players at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium during Real Madrid celebration parade in Madrid, 04 June 2017. Real Madrid team celebrates with supporters their victory against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League final. Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 on 03 June in Cardiff. EPA/Fernando Villar

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos lifts up the Champions League trophy as he celebrates with the rest of the team after winning the Champions League final, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday June 4, 2017. Real Madrid became the first team in the Champions League era to win back-to-back titles with their 4-1 victory over Juventus in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Real Madrid supporters watch fireworks as the team celebrate after winning the Champions League final, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 4, 2017. Real Madrid celebrated its record 12th European Cup with thousands of fans on Sunday, after returning to the Spanish capital from winning the Champions League final in Cardiff, Wales. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Sport

Football

Thousands of delirious Real fans call for Ronaldo to win a fifth Ballon d’Or as the Spanish giants parade the Champions League trophy for a record 12th time


Cristiano Ronaldo

Adoring Real Madrid fans demand Ballon d’Or for Champions League hero Cristiano Ronaldo

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Thousands of delirious Real fans call for Ronaldo to win a fifth Ballon d’Or as the Spanish giants parade the Champions League trophy for a record 12th time

Thousands of delirious Real fans call for Ronaldo to win a fifth Ballon d’Or as the Spanish giants parade the Champions League trophy for a record 12th time