Cardiff: Cristiano Ronaldo said Sunday he had no intention of slowing down after spearheading a 4-1 victory over Juventus that made Real Madrid the first team to retain the UEFA Champions League. His double strike at the Principality Stadium here ensured he created history.
“I think people don’t have words to criticise, because the numbers don’t lie,” he told reporters after receiving the man of the match award from his former Manchester United mentor Alex Ferguson.
“I’m very happy. It was an amazing season again. We won trophies. It’s one of the best moments in my career. I have the opportunity to say that every year. But it’s true.
“This year was amazing again, last year was amazing too. It’s a long season, but I’m motivated, I’m happy. I’m in a good moment. My age is just a number. I feel like a young boy,” added the Portuguese superstar.
Madrid became the first team to defend the European Cup successfully since Arrigo Sacchi’s AC Milan in 1990 and the first to achieve the feat since the competition relaunched as the Champions League in 1992.
“There’s no doubt whatsoever, today (Sunday) is a truly historic day for Madrid’s fans, myself and our big family,” said coach Zinedine Zidane, who has now won four Champions League titles as a player and coach.
“Having said that, you know how things are. Next year it’s going to be even more difficult, expectations will run high… we’re going to have to work very hard to win once again.
“But today we can say that we are a very good team and that we deserved to win the La Liga and the Champions League. It was not easy,” added the Frenchman.
Zidane, 44, led Madrid to glory in last season’s Champions League less than five months after succeeding Rafael Benitez to take up his first managerial role.
The former France playmaker’s contract expires in a year, but he said he was not thinking about leaving.
“I’m not going to confirm I’ll stay here all my life. That’s impossible to say,” Zizou as Zidane is popularly known,” said. “But I’m extremely happy and I’m very grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to coach these fantastic players. I have a one-year contract left. I think I’ll be here next year!”
Factfile
3 – Number if times Ronaldo has scored in the Champions League final, the second man to do so. Alfredo Di Stefano, who scored if five finals heads the list
600 – Total number of goals scored by Ronaldo for club and country
406 – Goals scored by Ronaldo for Real Madrid and still counting
20 – Number of trophies won since embarking on pro career in 2004
42 – No of hat-tricks scored by Ronaldo for Real Madrid
