Real Madrid arrived back from Cardiff to a hero’s welcome as they paraded the Champions League trophy to thousands of fans from an open-top bus.
The victorious squad were driven through the streets of Madrid in a huge white bus emblazoned with the message ‘Campeones 12’ and the club’s crest.
White confetti rained down on the squad and the supporters surrounding the bus as Real toasted winning their Champions League success on Sunday evening.
Real were earlier welcomed back at the City Hall of Madrid before they headed out to greet thousands of supporters gathered at a large square in the Spanish capital.
Madrid regional government president Cristina Cifuentes met with Cristiano Ronaldo and Co at the hall and was handed a shirt by skipper Sergio Ramos to commemorate La Duodecima – the club’s 12th major European triumph.
Cifuentes then lifted the trophy aloft with Ramos before posing for a photo with the club president Florentino Perez as she toasted Real’s latest European trophy.
Captain Ramos also handed the Mayor of Madrid Manuela Carmena a personalised Real shirt before Carmena enjoyed her own moment with the trophy.
Marcelo and Ramos lifted the silverware up at from the City Hall of Madrid’s balcony in front of Real fans – who turned up in their thousands to salute Zinedine Zidane’s squad.
After visiting the square the players are set to return to the Santiago Bernabeu for more celebrations that are expected to last long into the night.
Ronaldo scored twice as Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday night to become the first team ever to successfully defend the Champions League title.
The club hailed the latest trophy as ‘La Duodecima’ to commemorate their 12th major European win – spanning across the Champions League and European Cup era.
Ronaldo netted the opener in the 20th minute on Saturday night, tucking home Dani Carjaval’s cross to become the first player ever to score in three Champions League finals.
Mario Mandzukic equalised for the Serie A champions with a stunning volley but Casemiro’s deflected strike put Real back in front.
Ronaldo made it 3-1 in the 64th minute before substitute Marco Asensio sealed the win in the final minute.
Madrid have now won three of the last four Champions Leagues – after they beat city rivals Atletico Madrid in 2014 and 2016.
