Cristiano Ronaldo fulfilled a "childhood dream" as he was unveiled as a Real Madrid player in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
The Portuguese forward, who has been handed the number nine jersey, was greeted by Alfredo di Stefano - considered the greatest player to have worn that particular shirt - Eusebio and Florentino Perez, the club president whose re-election prompted Ronaldo's £80million signing from Manchester United.
"I am just so happy to be here," he said to a rapturous reception from the gathered thousands.
"For me, I have made my childhood dream a reality, which was nothing less than playing for Real Madrid.
"I didn't expect a jam-packed stadium - this is truly impressive."
Perez claimed Monday night's events "might not have a precedent". "We are very satisfied to know that you made the firm decision to play for Real Madrid," Perez said.
He told Ronaldo what to expect from his new adoring fans, adding: "They will ask of you the very best, but will also give you their all."
Ronaldo is the third player to be unveiled by Madrid since Perez returned to the presidency at the start of June, following in the footsteps of Kaka and Raul Albiol.
Brazil playmaker Kaka was a reported £56million signing from AC Milan, while Spain centre-back Albiol was brought in from Valencia for a fee believed to be around £13million.
Madrid have also agreed a deal with Lyon for their striker Karim Benzema for an initial fee of £30million, a transfer that takes the Spanish giants' summer spending close to the £200million mark.
Monday night's attendance at the Bernabeu swamped the estimated 55,000 that watched Kaka's unveiling here last Tuesday, and is believed to be the biggest turn-out for a presentation since a reported 75,000 saw the arrival of Diego Maradona at Napoli from Barcelona in 1984.
Earlier on Monday, Ronaldo, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, successfully completed his medical with Madrid after landing in the Spanish capital just after midday.
Carlos Diez, Real Madrid's medical chief, told realmadrid.com: "(Ronaldo) is in perfect condition and very eager to start the season as soon as possible."
Ronaldo had already undergone initial medical tests with the Spanish giants while on holiday in Portugal last month, which the player claimed at the time had gone "perfectly".
Diez added: "He has an extraordinary cardiac and lung capacity. We have complemented everything that we already did in Portugal and done all the specific tests.
"Now we will be able to start working using an individual plan in order to improve his performance.
"For him (Ronaldo), it's a dream, and this dream starts to convert into reality from today."
Speaking at a press conference after his presentation, Ronaldo insisted that Real were "the closest club to my heart" - but admitted it was a wrench to leave England.
"Thank you to all (United) supporters, the boss (Sir Alex Ferguson), friends and team-mates - I've been there six years and have friends there. But people respect my decision," he said.
"The great challenge now, and dream, is to play at Real Madrid but I'm going to miss many things in Manchester."
The forward claimed he left Old Trafford, and Ferguson, on friendly terms.
"It was good," he said of his departure. "My relationship with him was always good and will stay that way forever.
"I went to Manchester, spoke to them and everything was fine. Life goes on."
Ronaldo also reiterated his belief that he was worth the vast sum paid for his services.
"I have always thought that the best clubs, to have the best players, have to pay - so Real Madrid did a good thing. It was a correct decision.
"I understand...it is not your everyday thing to manage these figures, but I'm happy to be the most expensive player in the history of football and I'm going to prove that they paid good money for me and it was worth it."
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