Logos 10 Ronaldo 0 at Real unveiling

Real Madrid introduced Ronaldo yesterday in a perfunctory seven-minute photocall that reflected the style of the world's finest footballer: few words, minimum formality, stacks of logos.

Hundreds of journalists packed into the pressroom at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium, among them disgruntled Italians who had flown in specially and were disappointed not to be allowed to question Ronaldo's departure from Internazionale. The player, his head freshly shaved, sauntered before a roaring wall of cameras with as much sense of occasion as if strolling to the bus stop.

"I want to thank president Florentino Perez and say that it was my great desire to come to Madrid. I know the responsibility is great and I hope to respond with goals and beautiful play, and do everything to fulfil the expectations," the 25-year-old Brazilian said.

Not for Ronaldo the immaculate formality of Zinedine Zidane at his presentation last year, elegant in dark suit and tie. But, like Zidane, Ronaldo towered above Perez and the honorary president, Alfredo di Stefano, who flanked him. The young striker grinned goofily and draped his arms round the men's shoulders.

The £30m transfer advances Perez's ambition of building Real Madrid into the world's finest collection of players and the most feared club. Yesterday he beamed at having seized the ultimate prize – at well below the asking price. "This is an important day for Real Madrid. Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world," he said. "The mixture of Real Madrid and Ronaldo is perfect because both transmit universal values. He is going to write many more glorious pages in the history of our club," he concluded, and told the player: "This is your home."

A smiling Di Stefano handed Ronaldo the white jersey bearing his name and No 11 on the back and this year's sponsor's logo on the front. The names of soft drinks, sports shoes and sundry television channels peppered the backdrop.

Earlier, doctors conducted a three-hour medical, two hours of it devoted to Ronaldo¿s knees, especially the right tendon, three times broken and mended. Perez has a clause in the contract stipulating that if Ronaldo suffers another knee injury, Real will stop payments. He is expected to be fit in three weeks.

Pausing to don his white strip, Ronaldo ambled on to the pitch to cries of adoration from around 3,000 fans. Wearing silver boots, he kicked the ball around a few seconds, headed it once or twice, then lobbed it to ecstatic youngsters, some sporting their yellow Brazil jerseys. Then he waved and went.

"One of the most important things for Real is its image," Perez said. "We all know that Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world, but he is also one of the most universal images in the world. We will begin selling shirts bearing the player's name immediately and we are sure there will be a massive demand. In five years we want to be in every country in the world."