Madrid: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is excited about the upcoming Champions League final May 26 against Liverpool at Kiev simply because a victory in the game will help him join an elite list of players who have won the title five times.
Prior to Ronaldo, nine footballers have managed to lift the trophy among whom seven are from Real Madrid including the legendary Alfredo de Stefano. The talismanic Portuguese player first won the trophy with Manchester United (2008) and his three other successes have come with Real Madrid (2014, 16, 17).
“This is the fifth chance I have acquired to lift the Champions League trophy. If I can do it, it will indeed be very memorable in my life indeed,” Ronaldo told ‘Real Madrid TV’ in an interview.
“But at the moment I am not thinking about record books or history. If it happens, it happens. The only target is to win, for me, for the entire side. We are all really very excited,” added Ronaldo.
In spite of stating that his favourite English club are Manchester United, the striker has expressed his respect for Liverpool. “They are a very good side. There are three players who are very good attackers – skill and speed-wise. Frankly speaking, the present Liverpool squad remind of the side Real Madrid side had three seasons ago,” Ronaldo pointed out.
This year the talismanic player has scored 15 goals in 12 matches and Ronaldo said this success rate has been possible because the Champions League is always ‘special’ to him.
“Remember, I have scored in all group matches which is indeed a great achievement,” Ronaldo asserted. “In last year’s final I had hit the target twice. hopefully I can score again this year. From my side, I will make every possible effort to score,” the striker warned.
Champions League is always special to me and that is why I try to score in every game
Cristiano Ronaldo
