Pepe conceded Madrid were worn out for much of the latter part of the match, in which Yannick Ferreira Carrasco equalised following Sergio Ramos’ first-half opener, but he praised the battling qualities of his team-mates.
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Real won when Cristiano Ronaldo struck the decisive penalty to secure a 5-3 shootout victory shortly after Juanfran missed for Atletico.
Real Madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo plans to play at least nine more seasons for the Champions League winners, as he is now negotiating an extension to his contract.
“I would like to dedicate a few words to Atletico, our neighbour and friend”, he said.
Simeone added: “I don’t know which defeat hurts the most”. If you ask me if I feel exhausted now, of course, I have a lot of minutes in the legs.
“Our hard work has been rewarded”. But I am still there, I am always there.
“I feel a bit responsible that I wasn’t able to give them what they wanted”.
“It’s the seventh year I’ve scored more than 50 goals, that says it all”. That’s how we’ve managed to win this Champions League. He is one of the pillars of the team and of the history of the club.
But for the man-of-the-match, Zidane’s cool-headedness and leadership skills have helped tighten relations in a Real dressing room that, earlier this season, was not quite as cohesive.
The former Manchester United attacker failed to hit the heights in the final against Atletico Madrid in the San Siro, but still had the final kick of the game.
“Zidane brought a positive attitude with him”.
“At the end, getting the Champions League is the best along with winning the World Cup”, said the Frenchman, a world champion in 1998.
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“I had some words but also I want to sing. Real Madrid wins like this, Real Madrid wins like this”. Zidane was an assistant to Carlo Ancelotti when the Italian steered Real to their 10th European title in Lisbon two years ago, but now joins an elite group who have lifted the trophy as a player and a coach.
