Madrid Celebrates Real Madrid's 15th Champions League Triumph
Madrid was awash in a sea of white on Sunday as Real Madrid's players and coaching staff paraded through the city's streets, basking in the glory of their record-extending 15th UEFA Champions League title. Tens of thousands of ecstatic supporters lined the route, eager to celebrate the club's remarkable 6th European crown in the past decade.
The festivities commenced with Carlo Ancelotti and his triumphant squad presenting the coveted trophy at the Almudena Cathedral, the seat of the Community of Madrid, and the City Hall, before embarking on a triumphant procession aboard a double-decker bus adorned with the words "Campeones 15" and "Gracias Madridistas" (Thank you, Madrid fans).
As the jubilant players arrived at the iconic Cibeles Square around 9 PM, a festive atmosphere enveloped the city. Joyous music filled the air, and thousands of supporters encircled the renowned fountain, eager to share in the euphoria with their beloved "Madridistas" and express their unwavering love for this remarkable team.
Earlier, Real Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, had taken the stage to commend the team's "impressive season," during which they "gave their all" and demonstrated an insatiable "hunger for trophies." Pérez boldly declared, "That's why I've already told you that this club is currently working on realizing a new dream: the sixteenth European Cup for Clubs."
Iconic German midfielder Toni Kroos, for whom the Wembley final marked his last match for the club, addressed the crowd, exclaiming, "Three weeks ago, I promised you something: that we would return here to celebrate. And here we are with the fifteenth!"
The celebration of Real Madrid's 15th and most prestigious European title will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most remarkable and popular fiestas in the Spanish capital. Thousands of revelers flooded the streets leading to the iconic Cibeles Fountain, where Real Madrid traditionally celebrates its triumphs.
The sea of white shirts stretched from the Puerta de Alcalá all the way up the Paseo de la Castellana, escorting the open-top bus carrying the European champions to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium for the grand finale of a truly unforgettable Sunday of celebrations.
With an hour's delay, Real Madrid's victorious squad arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu around 11:30 PM, where more than 70,000 supporters had assembled to bring this extraordinary day of celebrations to a fitting conclusion.
One by one, the teammates of Moroccan international Brahim Diaz took to the stage, greeted by thunderous ovations from the adoring "Merengue" faithful. Toni Kroos, marking his final appearance at the Santiago Bernabéu as a Real Madrid player, Luka Modric, who confirmed his renewal for another season, and Nacho Fernández, whose future remains uncertain, were all celebrated with fervent acclaim.
Thus, Real Madrid concludes a remarkable season with only two defeats, while claiming three prestigious titles: the Spanish league, the Spanish Super Cup, and an unprecedented 15th Champions League crown, further solidifying their status as European royalty.