Thousands of jubilant Real Madrid fans swamped the centre of the Spanish capital on Thursday to see their heroes parade in an open-top bus in celebration of their league title success.

"Champions! Ole, ole!" yelled the crowd, as coach Jose Mourinho, top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, captain Iker Casillas and the rest of the team waved from the bus, to the sound of fire crackers and horns.

Fans of all ages crowded the Plaza de Cibeles, a square recently more used to angry protests against the economic crisis than the joyful outpouring of the 'Madridistas', revelling in their first league victory for four years.

"We're so proud. We're going to dance, drink and have a good time," said Carlos Caleno, a 31-year-old Ecuadorean who came to cheer his adopted team wrapped in Real's white flag.

"Things are hard at the moment. But football makes you forget all your problems."

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