Cristiano Ronaldo has secured another record to go alongside the already impressive list. He has become one of only three players to win the UCL on four occasions.
Ronaldo has now won the trophy three times with Real Madrid and once with Manchester United, back in 2008. The only other two players to have done this are Andres Iniesta (four victories with Barcelona) and Clarence Seedorf (one with Ajax, once with Real and twice with AC Milan).
It is one more impressive record for one of the game’s top players. Real no doubt deserved the win, although certain decisions by the referee may have added a slightly bitter taste to the event. The Madrid side enters the history books themselves with the distinction of being the first team to win consecutive Champions League trophies. The last team to do so was AC Milan in 1990, however the competition was organized in a different format.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Italian champions Juventus. It’s a great end to a season in which Ronaldo was every bit as important to Real Madrid’s strength as when he joined the club. The winger feels he has answered critics who believed at the start of the season that the player’s form was in decline.
“I answered on the pitch,” Ronaldo told Atresmedia and beIN SPORTS. “The people who criticised me have to put the guitar back in its case, again. It’s incredible. It’s another amazing season. To finish the year with the Champions League and the record… I’m very happy.”
“We’re the first team to win consecutive Champions Leagues and I scored two goals. It’s one more record, these players deserved it and I did as well because I scored two goals and I’m the top scorer in the Champions League.”
Ronaldo also praised manager Zinedine Zidane for his words of encouragement at half-time and his tactical choices throughout the season. Zidane made very good use of Ronaldo’s talent, especially in important matches. The manager made the choice of resting the player more than usual throughout the season, but in doing so gave Ronaldo the opportunity to be fully fit Real’s most important fixtures.
“Zidane’s chat was very positive. He believes in us a lot and in the second half we showed that we are very good,” Ronaldo said. “I want to thank the fans for their support from the very start of the Champions League. The objective now is to win it again next year. Anything is possible.”
