06 June, 2017
Sporting a newly cropped haircut, Ronaldo was the star of a spectacular lights and firework show as 81,000 fans crammed into Real's Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
The Italian champions had substitute Juan Cuadrado sent off after he was shown a second yellow card for a gentle push on Sergio Ramos that drew a lamentable overreaction from the Madrid skipper.
Real's Champions League victory nearly guarantees Ronaldo a fifth Ballon d'Or title when the award is handed out at the end of the year, which would bring him level with Lionel Messi; over the past nine years the pair have shared the trophy.
The team was first feted by Madrid's mayor and regional president before the players got on an open-top bus for a slow ride through throngs of supporters to a packed Cibeles square, Madrid's traditional gathering spot for celebrations.
With a third European title in four seasons, coach Zinedine Zidane has re-established Madrid as the premier team on the continent.
The 32-year-old won the Champions League with Manchester United in 2008, before going on to claim two more with Los Blancos, in 2014 and 2016, before Saturday night's triumph in Cardiff.
Once Ronaldo took the microphone, he couldn't resist joining the crowd in chanting "Cristiano, Ballon d' Or!", a call for him to win the prestigious best-player award. "We've qualified for the Champions League, we'll play for it again", he told La Stampa.
Only 18 months into his first head coaching job, the France great is lifting his fifth trophy with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid ended up winning the match with a score of 4-1 over Juventus.
"It is the best thing that could happen", said Colombian shop worker Jose Ordonez, 54, who took in the festivities with his two sons.
"We promised to return and we have returned as champions", said Ramos as the squad visited the home of Madrid's local government and the city hall.
"I hope to return many more times and that we can celebrate many more titles".
