EDEN HAZARD'S Real Madrid unveiling was the club's biggest for a decade — since they showed off Cristiano Ronaldo in front of 75,000 fans.
Around 50,000 Madridistas crammed themselves into the Bernabeu to watch the 28-year-old strut around in his new kit, kiss the badge and take selfies.
Smacking lips with the logo left a load of Chelsea supporters absolutely heartbroken, but the Spanish and South American clubs have a time-honoured tradition of revealing players in front of a big crowd.
The turnout was double that of Gareth Bale six summers ago, when the Welshman joined before helping fire Los Blancos to four Champions League triumphs.
Second to Ronaldo's was a massive switch from 35 years ago.
Diego Maradona's sensational move from Barcelona to Napoli drew the Italian city to a standstill, while they packed out the Stadio San Paolo with 65,000 to greet the Argentina sensation in 1984.
The footballing icon ended up staying at the club for seven seasons, winning the Scudetto twice and overhauling Juventus.
Third on the list is a surprise in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, following his switch from Inter Milan in 2009 for Barcelona — witnessed by 60,000.
Huge things were expected when Pep Guardiola landed Ibra, but not even the Nou Camp's vast tiers were big enough to fit in the Swede.
Neymar's introduction four years later was close, with 57,000 welcoming the Brazilian sensation, who went for a world record sum of £195million to Paris Saint-Germain four years later.
Down the list are Kaka to Real Madrid with 55,000, Fernando Torres' return to Atletico in front of 50,000 and Carlos Tevez's return to Boca Juniors in front of 45,000 at the Bombonera.
Despite being a world record sale, Bale was witnessed by 25,000 after his £85million move from Tottenham.
Of course, this is not a tradition at all in English football, while players are usually wheeled out in their first game or after they have signed and are not in the squad for their first home match.
When it comes to the pomp and melodrama of unveilings, the Spaniards rule.
Shamsuddeenb
274
I wonder, if Messi is to represent...hmmnn there will be no stadium to hold his crowd!!!
jaydlnpz
103
maradona is the real deal here.. 1984 and he draws that large crowd, respect.
Mugdho01795
38
I wonder, if Messi is to represent...hmmnn there will be no stadium to hold his crowd!!!
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well...now if messi's fans can't hold stadium ...Imagine if Ronaldo comes to the madrid again...the stadium will fall apart...😑
Zohckstuz
36
I think people [those who call him coward]don’t know what is Barcelona for messi what they did for him if you know, then you are ignoring it please see once they paid 9000$ for his operation which was impossible for his family when he was kid that’s why Barcelona is like parents for him who gave new life to him and football too no offense to Ronaldo he is great man he takes challenge and does his best I like him but I love messi you love Ronaldo that’s good but don’t call him coward 🙏🙏🙏 there is reason behind something understand that reason and we can change everything but not our parents have some respect for him if not love then ✌️✌️ I think even if the fan of ronaldo is football lover he/she will enjoy messi playing too if not they don’t understand football 😊😊
hindpsuy
26
I wonder, if Messi is to represent...hmmnn there will be no stadium to hold his crowd!!!
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for that he will have to leave barcelona which he's clearly too afraid to do
pokharaali
21
I wonder, if Messi is to represent...hmmnn there will be no stadium to hold his crowd!!!
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Your dream will never come true, your messi is a coward. He’s not gonna take any risk.
Ciybnoz
16
for everyone who's calling messi a coward for not joining another club, you people will never know what "Loyalty" feels like 😊
it is not loyalty buddy barca pay huge money to messi....
footballismydrug
13
There is no Messi in top 10.Ronaldo in on number 1 so we can say that Ronaldo is much better player than Messi.So Ronaldo is the goat.🐐🐐🐐🐐
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such shitty analytics 😂 I bet you don't even know what this chart is all about xD
Hans10
12
I wonder, if Messi is to represent...hmmnn there will be no stadium to hold his crowd!!!
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Are you talking about 10 years ago🤣🤣😂😂😂
Boailpryz
12
There is no Messi in top 10.Ronaldo in on number 1 so we can say that Ronaldo is much better player than Messi.So Ronaldo is the goat.🐐🐐🐐🐐
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i hope you are not serious
Leadiklmnp
12
There is no Messi in top 10.Ronaldo in on number 1 so we can say that Ronaldo is much better player than Messi.So Ronaldo is the goat.🐐🐐🐐🐐
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You stupid
footballismydrug
12
I wonder, if Messi is to represent...hmmnn there will be no stadium to hold his crowd!!!
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for everyone who's calling messi a coward for not joining another club, you people will never know what "Loyalty" feels like 😊
sodex12345
10
I wonder, if Messi is to represent...hmmnn there will be no stadium to hold his crowd!!!
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he will never be number one in his career. because he wont change team
Zahdklnps
10
for everyone who's calling messi a coward for not joining another club, you people will never know what "Loyalty" feels like 😊
just check the paycheck of Messi and you will know it's loyalty that's holding him in Barca or something else.
Ducadekn
10
There is no Messi in top 10.Ronaldo in on number 1 so we can say that Ronaldo is much better player than Messi.So Ronaldo is the goat.🐐🐐🐐🐐
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u never use my country's flag nxt time, dumb 😡
deepakdas1998dd
10
There is no Messi in top 10.Ronaldo in on number 1 so we can say that Ronaldo is much better player than Messi.So Ronaldo is the goat.🐐🐐🐐🐐
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One thing is known regardless - You're a serious Dumb.
fizzbizzie
9
I wonder, if Messi is to represent...hmmnn there will be no stadium to hold his crowd!!!
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You wonder.. Messi fans always wonder. And wish.. While Ronaldo fans get answers.. He does it while Messi fans only fantasise and wonder and wish and think...
Irfan19
9
This dumb killing my country's name 👇👇
Tahikloy
8
There is no Messi in top 10.Ronaldo in on number 1 so we can say that Ronaldo is much better player than Messi.So Ronaldo is the goat.🐐🐐🐐🐐
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ahhhh such an idiot...... its transfer unveiling... have messi ever been transfered..... idiot
jakadlor
8
Your dream will never come true, your messi is a coward. He’s not gonna take any risk.
tell him bro...till he has been able to achieve smtin with Barca he is useless