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The backstory
In 2009, then-Intercontinental Champion and current Raw Superstar Rey Mysterio met with the players of one of the biggest football clubs in the world, Real Madrid, during WWE's live event in Madrid, Spain. Mysterio met with Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, Xabi Alonso, Kaka, and their teammates. The Master of the 619 even donned the Real Madrid jersey.
Since WWE held a SmackDown and ECW live event in Madrid, Mysterio met with the players to invite them to attend the event, which was scheduled to take place on the 24th of September 2009.
What went down?
Rey Mysterio met some of the best football players in the world to invite them to attend a WWE live event in Madrid. Popular names like Ronaldo, Raul and Kaka attending the event would've no doubt sold-out the venue and give WWE a little bit more exposure in Spain. It's no secret that WWE Superstars are also football fans. Even though pro-wrestling and football are in no way related, they have one thing in common. They both have a massive fanbase that is loyal and dedicated.
Mysterio had the following to say after meeting the players, according to WWE.com.
"It was an honor to be invited to visit Real Madrid's training ground and meet Raul, Ronaldo, Kaka and all the other footballers that play for such a successful team," Mysterio said. "I am looking forward to seeing them again in September when I am back in Madrid and to give them a taste of my own kind of athleticism!"
Raul, one of the most significant football players in the history of Real Madrid, felt honoured meeting Rey Mysterio.
"Rey, it is a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for the invite to see you in Madrid. My kids love your show," said Raul.
Here is a short video of the meeting:
The aftermath
This was not the last time WWE invited a Real Madrid footballer to a WWE event, as the United States Champion AJ Styles invited Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas to a live event in Costa Rica in 2017. WWE has also sent out custom-made WWE Championships to the Champions League and the Premier League winners. Mysterio left WWE in 2015 and returned in 2018. Cristiano Ronaldo currently plays for Juventus F.C.
