Real Madrid returned home following their dramatic Champions League triumph over city rivals Atletico – and immediately jumped onto an open-top bus for a victory parade.
Thousands of jubilant fans – the vast majority of whom had no doubt been partying all night – lined the city streets to salute their heroes after their record 11th European Cup win.
Real beat Atletico 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the San Siro in Milan on Saturday night, with Cristiano Ronaldo firing home the decisive kick.
Jubilant Real Madrid fans welcome home their heroes as they parade the European Cup on an open-top bus tour on Sunday morning.
Thousands lined the streets leading to the Plaza de Cibeles in the centre of Madrid to welcome home their European Cup-winning heroes
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo, who converted the winning penalty, applaud the crowd
A red flare is lit close to the bus as it passes by during the parade – the trophy was positioned in prime view at the front
As white confetti falls around him, Ronaldo salutes the thousands of Real Madrid fans who turned out to greet them early on Sunday
The upper deck of the bus was absolutely packed with players and staff, waving Real scarves and flags to the crowd.
They celebrated in Milan before boarding their plane and immediately returning home to show off their latest piece of silverware.
With expectant fans waiting at the Plaza de Cibeles, any hopes of sleep were dashed as the team and coach Zinedine Zidane jumped on board the bus.
They showed off the trophy – the second time in three seasons they have won it – to thrilled fans, who had waited from the early hours despite rain showers. Real usually head for the spectacular city hall on Plaza de Cibeles to celebrate their finest achievements.
Gareth Bale, still wearing his winners medal around his neck, lifts the European Cup after winning it for the second time in three years
Red smoke flares were lit as the open-top bus passed with Real Madrid fans turning out in force to welcome home their heroes
The bus eventually made its way to the Plaza de Cibeles in the centre of Madrid, passing the stunning Cybele Palace or city hall
The city hall provided a stunning back drop to the celebrations as Real’s players marked another historic moment in style
Real coach Zinedine Zidane speaks to defender Alvaro Arbeloa during the celebrations after leading his team to another European success
Zidane, sporting a white Real Madrid scarf, takes in the celebrations. This Champions League win comes a mere four months into the job
Sergio Ramos (left) and Karim Benzema (right) pose in Real Madrid scarves with coach Zinedine Zidane during the bus tour
Real defenders Pepe (left) and Sergio Ramos take great joy in showing off the famous European Cup trophy to the massive crowds
Karim Benzema and Luka Modric continue the celebrations as Real took to their open-top bus for a parade through the streets of Madrid
Modric and Bale take centre stage during the celebrations as they show off their medals on the bus parade on Sunday morning
Ronaldo gives a celebratory clenched first to the thousands in the crowd after once again proving Real’s match-winner
Fans occupied every possible vantage point as the white bus, marked with the Real Madrid crest, passed through the streets
There were scenes of jubilation in the streets of Madrid as fans scrambled to get a glimpse of their heroes after partying all night
Sergio Ramos, the Real captain, kisses the trophy as he touches the Cybele fountain with a Madrid flag draped around its neck.
Real led in Milan thanks to Sergio Ramos early on, but Atletico equalised 12 minutes from time through Yannick Carrasco.
Extra-time passed without further goals and, in the shootout, Atletico’s Juanfran was the unfortunate player who saw his spot-kick come back off the post.
Ronaldo duly converted the next kick to spark wild Real celebrations.
It was the club’s 11th European Cup success – they won the first five editions of the competition between 1956 and 1960, then again in 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2014.
Ticker tape rained from the sky in Madrid as jubilant fans turned out en masse to welcome Real back home following their Milan win.
Brazilian duo Casemiro and Marcelo posed for a selfie during the open-top bus parade in Madrid on Sunday morning
Sergio Ramos lifts the Champions League trophy after Real Madrid came out on top against Atletico Madrid
Ronaldo was inevitably the match-winner as he kept his composure to strike home the crucial fifth penalty for Real
Ronaldo celebrates his winning spot-kick after a tense penalty shootout resulted in an 11th European Cup for Real Madrid
Real Madrid players celebrate and their joy will spill long into the night after the club clinched their 11th European Cup at the San Siro
Pink 96.9 fm your life, your music
