Mad about Real Madrid

An extraordinary welcoming spectacle.	Great merchandizing potential.
Only the bold and the muscular make it to the front of the crowd to meet the players.	Real Madrid mania.
	Beckham -- the most sought after photo opportunity. cnsphoto

 

Chinese football fans have never expended so much on one football game. Real Madrid's six football superstars, two million euro the richer after this trip to China, will doubtless look back on it as the pinnacle of their earning power. Fans were ecstatic at seeing their sporting idols in the flesh. Those that missed the chance were inconsolable. Some parted with 500 yuan for the privilege of watching these super-sports train before the match, and the 24-hour vigil that stalwarts held outside the team's hotel prevented them from visiting the Forbidden City. Beckham's room, exactly as he left it after a two-day stay, is now available at twice the original rate.