Thousands turn out as Real Madrid celebrate Champions League triumph with bus parade

Spanish giants won their 14th European Cup after beating Liverpool in Saturday's final

Karim Benzema and Marcelo carry the Champions League trophy at at Catedral de la Almudena as Real Madrid celebrate with an open top bus parade. Reuters

Real Madrid players pose with the Champions League and La Liga trophies outside the Catedral de la Almudena. Reuters

Real Madrid supporters celebrate at Cibeles square while awaiting their team's arrival. Getty

Real Madrid supporters celebrate while awaiting the team's arrival at Cibeles square. Getty

Real Madrid fans gather at Cibeles square to celebrate their team's 14th European Cup. AFP

Real Madrid players offer their 14th European Cup trophy to the Virgin of La Almudena at La Almudena Chatedral. EPA

Real Madrid supporters celebrate while awaiting their team's arrival at Cibeles square. Getty

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti waves from the regional government headquarters in Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid celebrate with the Champions League and La Liga trophies at the regional government headquarters in Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid players on an open-top bus during the trophy parade in front of the City Hall in Madrid. AP

Real Madrid players on an open-top bus during the trophy parade in front of the City Hall in Madrid. AP

Real Madrid player Marcelo holds the trophy next to the Cibeles statue during the trophy parade. AP

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and his players enjoy the open top bus parade. EPA

Real Madrid players Thibaut Courtois, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, and Marcelo celebrate on an open top bus with the Champions League trophy. Reuters

Marcelo kisses the fountain of Cybele during the victory parade. Reuters

Real Madrid players Marcelo, Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during an open top bus parade. EPA

Real Madrid fans pack the streets during the victory parade. Reuters

Real Madrid players celebrate on an open-top bus after winning the Champions League. Getty

Real Madrid players wave from an open-top bus at the Cibeles square in Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema celebrates with teammates from an open-top bus during a parade through the streets of Madrid. AFP

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and teammates celebrate in the Santiago Bernabeu after winning the Champions League. Reuters

Real Madrid players celebrate with the Champions League trophy in the Santiago Bernabeu. Reuters

Carlo Ancelotti waves as he walks on the pitch with his players during the club's celebration of their 14th European Cup at the Santiago Bernabeu. AFP

Marcelo is tossed in the air by teammates during the club's celebration of their 14th European Cup at the Santiago Bernabeu. AFP

Gareth Bale during celebrations at Santiago Bernabeu after Real Madrid won Champions League. Getty

Karim Benzema holds the trophy during celebrations at Santiago Bernabeu. Getty

Four weeks after the Cibeles square was packed out to celebrate Real Madrid's La Liga triumph, thousands of fans once again descended on Madrid's city centre landmark on Monday night to welcome another open top bus parade.

This time, the Spanish Liga trophy had company in the form of Real Madrid's 14th European Cup, secured with a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The festivities began in a ceremony at Catedral de la Almudena, then the squad met with local authorities before parading through the city’s streets with the Champions League trophy on an open bus. They headed to the Cibeles square, where tens of thousands of fans were waiting to celebrate with them.

Thousands of fans had already spent the early hours of Sunday at Cibeles square, lighting flares, waving flag, and chanting the club’s songs and anthem throughout the night.

As he had done earlier this month, Real Madrid captain Marcelo draped the statue of the goddess Cybele with a Madrid flag and scarf, then lifted the trophy again as fans cheered. It was also an emotional farewell to the Brazilian defender, who is leaving Real as the club’s most decorated player with 25 trophies.

The 34-year-old fullback is leaving 16 years after he joined Madrid from Brazilian club Fluminense in 2006. He cried as he addressed the crowd but said there was no reason to be sad.

“I am very happy,” he said. “I’m saying goodbye after winning another Champions League title.”

After the open top bus parade at Cibeles square, Real Madrid made their way to the Santiago Bernabeu as players addressed the crowd and once again lifted the trophy as confetti and fireworks were set off. Manager Carlo Ancelotti sang some of the team’s songs along with the players and the crowd.

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“What a season, what a season,” said Ancelotti, who won a record fourth Champions League title as a manager. “We had a good time at this stadium this season.”

Nearly 55,000 fans had packed the Bernabeu to watch the final on Saturday. A big screen was set up on the halfway line so fans could watch the match, and the crowd erupted when Vinícius Jr scored the winner and then cheered loudly as Marcelo lifted the trophy in France.

“I haven’t slept much, there was too much adrenaline,” said Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was man of the match on Saturday. “I still can’t believe it. This is incredible.”

Check out the photo gallery above to view the best pictures from Real Madrid's Champions League trophy celebrations. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.