Real Madrid’s insatiable quest for trophies was evident as they reveled in their 36th La Liga title on Sunday.
The celebration took place at the iconic Cibeles palace, yet the team’s sights were already set on the upcoming Champions League final.
The formidable 14-time European champions are scheduled to clash with Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1. Players expressed their hopes of a repeat celebration post the European showdown.
Luka Modric, the seasoned midfielder and five-time Champions League victor with Madrid, addressed the crowd, “Thank you for being here to celebrate this day… I hope we see each other again in June,” he said.
Madrid clinched the title ahead of schedule, with four matches remaining, wresting it back from Barcelona.
However, festivities were postponed to focus on their midweek victory over Bayern Munich, securing their Champions League final berth.
This season, Madrid’s dominance in La Liga is marked by a single defeat and leading statistics in goals scored and fewest conceded.
The team’s victories included double wins over Barcelona and Girona, their main competitors throughout the season.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, ever the charismatic leader, mirrored his 2022 parade demeanor, complete with a cigar and sunglasses.
The day’s events commenced with RFEF president Pedro Rocha presenting the league trophy at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground, with captain Nacho Fernandez performing the inaugural lift.
Nacho encapsulated the sentiment of the day, saying “Today is the day to enjoy it, when it’s something so deserved, something so big as winning the league, it’s the day to go to Cibeles,”
The players’ procession included a visit to the Madrid regional government, where they showcased the trophy to President Isabel Diaz Ayuso.
Florentino Perez, Madrid’s president, praised the team’s resilience amidst injuries and challenges.
He said,
“This team has overcome a lot of adversity, with a lot of injuries,” said Madrid chief Florentino Perez, referring to Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba’s long-term absences in particular.
“This squad rebelled against the situation, this club badge achieves everything that seems impossible — the attitude (you need) in the face of life.
“I want to thank all of the players that now form part of the history of the club — they have won it all and are still hungry.”
Perez also alluded to the team’s ambition for their 15th European title, vowing a spirited pursuit.
The players engaged with the fans from a balcony, eliciting chants and calls for contract renewals for stars like Modric, Kroos, and Fernandez.
Joselu, the striker whose late goals against Bayern propelled Madrid to the Champions League final, was lauded by the fans.
The trophy presentation continued at the Madrid town hall with Mayor Jose Luis Martinez Almeida, an Atletico supporter, and concluded at Plaza Cibeles, where throngs of fans awaited the team’s arrival on an open-top bus.
Vinicius Junior, the forward, shared his joy with the fans, whose support he deemed vital for their Champions League aspirations.
“I am very happy to share this with the fans, who will give us the energy to win the Champions League,” he said.
