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Soccer

Tens of thousands welcome Real Madrid home after UCL triumph

By FoxSports
Published | Updated

MADRID --

Tens of thousands of fans endured the rain to greet Real Madrid players as they returned home early Sunday from their triumph in the Champions League final.

Many waited all night after celebrating the team's win over crosstown rival Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout on Saturday in Milan.

The players arrived in Madrid at about 6 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) and traveled on an open bus to the club's traditional celebration spot, the Plaza de Cibeles, where an estimated 30,000 supporters welcomed the team.

Players carried the Champions League trophy atop the bus, constantly showing it to the cheering fans. The word "Campeones" and "11" were displayed prominently on the bus, in reference to the club's 11th European title.

Team captain Sergio Ramos, who scored Madrid's goal in regulation time at the San Siro, took the walkway set up over the plaza's fountain and draped the statue of the goddess Cybele with the club's scarf and flag, then lifted the trophy high above the famous figure.

A huge video screen was set up at the plaza to allow fans to watch the final, and the party began right after Cristiano Ronaldo converted the final penalty kick in the shootout to give the club its second European title in three seasons. Light shows and music entertained the fans through the night.

Atletico Madrid supporters, who again were denied the opportunity to celebrate the title, had gathered at a different viewing spot to watch the final.

There were no reports of major incidents between fans of the rival clubs.

Real Madrid said "almost 80,000" fans watched Saturday's final at the team's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where four huge screens were placed at midfield. The title celebration at the stadium included confetti thrown into the air as "We are the champions" played through loudspeakers.

The team will meet with the mayor of Madrid later on Sunday and again will parade through city streets.

The title celebrations will culminate at night at the Bernabeu.