Madrid: One wonders the total value of the six Real Madrid players and the Emirates A380 snapped in a selfie to mark the decoration of the club’s superstars on the side of the flagship plane.
The photo is certainly set to become a social media favourite with fans across the globe.
An Emirates statement said: “Touching down in Madrid, the Emirates A380 has been emblazoned with the image of Real Madrid footballing giants: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema and Marcelo. Visible on both sides of the aircraft the entire decal totals more than 500m2 in size and shows the six players in action.”
Boutros Boutros, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, added: “There is no better way for us to celebrate our sponsorship of Real Madrid than by adorning one of our flagship A380s with the club’s crest and team. Real Madrid have a huge following around the world and with our A380 now flying to 36 different destinations we hope that a good number of fans will get to see the aircraft.”
The entire Real Madrid squad turned up at Madrid Airport Barajas to view the decal first hand before the aircraft departed Madrid for Dubai. The aircraft is planned to travel to Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Frankfurt this week, giving Real Madrid fans in these countries a chance to take a picture of the aircraft as it makes its way around the globe.
The decal will stay on the aircraft for six months traversing the globe to Emirates’ 36 A380 destinations.
Real Madrid agreed to a five-year shirt sponsorship deal with Emirates in 2013.
“It is a new era for two global brands that will help us in our quest for new triumphs,” club president Florentino Perez said at the unveiling.
“It is one of the most important agreements in the history of the club.”
No official figures were released for the sponsorship deal but it was reported by media to be worth up to 30 million euros (Dh120.7 million) a year.
Meanwhile, on the field, Real Madrid travel to Villarreal on Sunday for a game which has taken on the feel of a grudge match as a result of recent events which have seen Rafael Benitez’s side kicked out of the Copa del Rey knockout competition.
Real were eliminated from the cup after fielding Denis Cheryshev, who was suspended for picking up three yellow cards in the competition while he was on loan to Villarreal last season.
Villarreal insist they fulfilled all their obligations regarding the suspension, while Real Madrid continue to state they knew nothing about the ban.
As a result of that disagreement, the Directors’ box will make almost as interesting viewing as Sunday’s game and cameras will no doubt be attentive to any crossed word between the two club presidents -- Villarreal’s Fernando Roig and Real’s Florentino Perez.
In playing terms, Real travel after an 8-0 win at home over Malmo in midweek: their fifth consecutive win since losing 0-4 at home to Barcelona.
