Cristiano Ronaldo: Zidane team talk inspired Real Madrid victory
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ByEurosport
Updated 03/06/2017 at 22:14 GMT
Two-goal Cristiano Ronaldo thanked Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane for a half-time team talk that fired the Spanish club to a 4-1 victory over Juventus in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Zinedine Zidane celebrates Madrid victory.
Image credit: Eurosport
Juventus were still hopeful of winning the trophy for the first time in 21 years as they reached the interval at 1-1, but Real found several extra gears to streak away and become the first club in the Champions League era to lift the trophy in successive seasons.
Ronaldo underscored his status as Europe's most lethal striker with the first and third goals as Real were crowned champions of Europe for a record-extending 12th time.
His career total in all competitions now stands at 600, a record 108 of which have come in the Champions League.
"I prepared myself for this, you win the biggest prizes because of what you do at the end of the season," Ronaldo, who has benefited from playing fewer games than in previous campaigns, said as his team mates celebrated.
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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates winning the Champions League in Cardiff.
Image credit: Eurosport
Zidane gave us a very positive half-time team talk and told us he really believed in us.
"It has been an incredible end to the season by us. We are the first team to win it two years in a row and I scored two goals. It's another record for us and the players deserve it and so do I because I scored twice and I'm the top scorer in the Champions League."
Zidane claimed he was not the world's best coach despite winning back-to-back Champions Leagues, La Liga, the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in only 18 months as manager.
“It’s been a great season, congratulations to all the players and this great club," said Zidane.
“With the players we have and by working hard, we can achieve these things. We know this.
“I’m happy. You may not see it, but inside I feel a great satisfaction.
“Best coach in the world? No, no, not that.
“Will I stay? It’s clear, yes, but now we’re going to enjoy this.”
Isco, who kept Cardiff-born Gareth Bale out of the starting line-up, described it as Real's best performance of the season as they outclassed Italian champions Juventus in the second half.
"The first half was really tough, against a brilliant team in every aspect, but in the second half we saw the best performance from Real Madrid all season," he said.
A few other records were shattered as Ronaldo helped Zinedine Zidane's side claim a club record 12th European Cup.
- Zinedine Zidane is the first manager to win back-to-back European Cup/CL trophies since Arrigo Sacchi (AC Milan, 1989 & 1990).
- Real Madrid have won their 12th European Cup/Champions League trophy, five more than any other side
- Ronaldo has now scored at least twice as many CL goals as any other player in the QF's (20), semi-finals (13) and finals (4).
- Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored in three Champions League finals, more than any other player
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his 600th goal in all competitions for club and country.
Stats courtesy of Opta
“It was a spectacular end to the season with La Liga and the Champions League," said Ronaldo.
We’ve got another record, the first team to retain the Champions League and the top scorer in the tournament. What more could I ask?
"I will now try to make the most of this unique moment in my career and then prepare for international duty with Portugal.
“Another Ballon d’Or? We’ll see.”
Gareth Bale made a late cameo appearance, coming on for Karim Benzema in the 77th minute with the job done.
"What an incredible scene, the stadium is incredible and the city did an immaculate job in hosting such a great event," the Welshman, who picked up his third Champions League winners' medal, said as the celebrations began.
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Real Madrid celebrate 12th Champions League success
Image credit: Getty Images
It's been a hard season, but I've worked hard and didn't think I would make the final but I worked tirelessly at home and this is the reward. We have made more history, we are very happy to win the 12th.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said: "I’m tremendously proud of this team.
"We had a date with history, we really wanted to win it and we achieved what no-one had ever done, to win two consecutive Champions Leagues.
We made very few mistakes, we’re worthy winners. This is for everyone who has to put up with me, including my wife, children, parents and all ‘madridismo’.
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon confessed the Champions League final defeat was “a big disappointment, because we thought we’d done everything necessary to win".
Juve had conceded just three goals in 12 games during this tournament, but lost the final 4-1 in Cardiff, as Buffon was beaten by two deflected efforts from Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro.
It ended his hopes of ovetaking fellow Italian Paolo Maldini as the oldest winner of the tournament at the age of 39.
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Juventus' Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts as Real Madrid's Spanish midfielder Isco (R) celebrates after a goal during the UEFA Champions League final
Image credit: Getty Images
“It’s a big disappointment, because we thought that we’d done everything necessary to play this Final and finally win it,” Buffon told Mediaset Premium during the closing ceremony.
“We had an excellent first half, where we caused Real Madrid huge problems, so it leaves you open-mouthed in shock that incidents never go our way. That’s disappointing.
“Evidently in order to win a trophy like this, you need to be stronger than adversity.
I thought it was a great approach in the first half, not giving Madrid any more advantages, and we ran really hard. Perhaps we ran a bit too hard and didn’t make the most of that advantage on the field. That’s disappointing.
“In the second half their class, strength and how accustomed they are to winning these games showed through. They won deservedly.
“Naturally there are a few regrets..it all went wrong for us.”
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