Barcelona hands over UEFA Champions League Trophy to Madrid Mayor
The countdown to the UEFA Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium continues apace after one of the stars of the show – the trophy itself – was handed over to the city of Madrid at a special ceremony in the Spanish capital.
In a symbolic act heralding Madrid's role as host city, last season's trophy winners FC Barcelona – represented by honorary president Johan Cruyff and club president Joan Laporta – handed the celebrated silverware to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president, Ángel María Villar Llona, who in turn presented it to Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, mayor of Madrid.
"This city feels deeply honoured and moved at being given the responsibility of hosting the final," said Alberto Ruiz Gallardón. "It is a final that will take place in a magnificent stadium belonging to a team [Real Madrid CF] that has won this competition nine times, so we hope to see an unforgettable game."
The UEFA Champions League Trophy goes on tour in Madrid from Saturday 17 April until Friday 14 May. The tour begins at 12.00CET in the Puerta del Sol, one of the city's most emblematic squares, according to UEFA website.