On Thursday, Danilo was presented as a new Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabéu. His signing is seemingly one that has not aroused that much interest among the Real Madrid fans, as only 600 supporters attended his presentation at the stadium.
“I want to thank God for keeping me strong to continue playing football. Thanks to my people for supporting me, and to the fans for their messages of support. Today I fulfil a childhood dream. It is one of the happiest days of my life. I promise to leave everything on the pitch in each match, because I do not know another way of playing. I only want to win. Thanks to everyone. Hala Madrid,” he said on his first day as a new Real Madrid player.
Danilo passed his medical at the Sanitas de La Morajela hospital on Thursday morning, a necessary step before his transfer to Real Madrid. The Brazilian underwent an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram. He then went to the Bernabéu and signed his contract, which ties him to Real Madrid for the next six seasons. While he was on the Bernabéu pitch he kissed the club badge, took a selfie and even took a penalty. The fans applauded him in the stifling heat and took advantage of the occasion to make a new request to the Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. “De Gea, De Gea!” they chanted.
During his press conference, Danilo expressed his happiness:
The presentation: “I felt very excited, to step out on to this pitch is a unique feeling.”
Dani Carvajal: “The competition is good for the club. They are two internationals (Álvaro Arbeloa and Dani Carvajal), very competent, and the one that benefits the most with this is Real Madrid.”
Seeing the ten European Cups: “I felt happy seeing them. I have come to the best club in the world, this demonstrates it, and I felt very excited. It is the only club with ten Champions League titles. I am motivated to win more Champions League titles.”
Advice for Casillas at Porto?: “It is not something official, so there is not much to say. Casillas is a player with a great history and I have little to say about that. I do not have to advise Casillas, he knows the decisions that he has to make and I am not the one to give him advice.”
Recovery from ankle injury: “I’ve been recovering in Brazil and I am already ready.”
Objectives: “I want to adapt as quickly as possible to the style and demands of the club. Also to the day-to-day life and to Madrid, to adapt better.”
Neymar: “It goes without saying that, it is known around the world – Neymar is a great friend and I am looking forward to playing in a Clásico.”
Real Madrid’s ‘future Alves’: “He is a national team team-mate and a friend but I am Real Madrid’s future Danilo, I think that I have my own characteristics.”
Ramos’ possible exit: “I have just arrived and I have nothing to say about it.”
A year without titles: “It was an unusual year, Real Madrid nearly always win. They will return to do it next season, because it is a club that lives for titles.”
The most expensive defender in Real Madrid’s history: “I feel highly valued and proud. I know the effort that the club made and I am going to show why [they made] that investment, with patience and tranquility.”
The fans: “I expect fans that support and motivate the team. I hope that they are fans that always push the team.”
Message to the Madrid fans: “Renew hope because the club is already thinking about all of the titles that there are ahead.”