An emotional Jude Bellingham described Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory as “the best night of my life” and paid tribute to his family.
The 20-year-old has been phenomenal in his first season at the club since leaving Dortmund in the summer, and was instrumental in setting up winning goals for Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior in the final.
His appetite for the biggest games was a defining feature of a season in which he scored an astounding 23 goals for Madrid.
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Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid teammates Brahim Diaz and David Alaba celebrated their Champions League final victory by dancing.
Any doubts about how he would adapt under the Real Madrid spotlight and with all the pressure that comes with the shirt were quickly dispelled with his £115m arrival and now he’s a Champions League winner.
Madrid’s victory at Wembley meant Bellingham joined an elite group of just four English players (Paul Lambert, Owen Hargreaves and Steve McManaman) to win the Champions League with a foreign club.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing in these games,” he said. TNT Sports.
“Sometimes in life they tell you you can’t do it and days like this remind you of that. Sometimes it gets hard and you question if it’s worth it, but nights like this make you realize that.”
“It was fine until I met my parents. I’d be home by 7pm but they’d be out until 12 to take me to football. And then I’ve got my younger brother, who I’m trying to be an example to.”
“Tonight is the best night of my life.”
He added: “It’s a special feeling. Some of my teammates have five or six titles but they told me to enjoy your first title because the feeling when you reach the top of the mountain is like no other.”
“Yes, it’s important to maintain that level, but never forget the first moment and enjoy it. They were the better team most of the time, but in the end it all comes down to moments. If they don’t beat us, they’ll regret it later.”
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Sky Sports’ Gail Davies and Kaveh Solhekolu discuss Real Madrid’s incredible performance as they became European champions for the 15th time.
“Coming here and playing for this club is tough. People don’t realise how big the club is. It’s really good to come here and ease the pressure with my play. There’s a lot of pressure.”
“You have a bubble for players and staff but outside of that you feel like the world is closing in on you. If something happens in training it’s in the media five seconds later.”
“That’s why winning with this club is so rewarding, you can endure the pressure, persevere and then enjoy moments like this until the games start again.”
Liked by: Jude Bellingham
The celebrations are set to continue when Real Madrid return to Spain on Sunday and Bellingham is expected to play a key role for England at this summer’s European Championships and has a week off to “rest and relax” but admitted he is feeling tired.
He said: “I’ll be back with the national team on June 8 so I have time to rest and relax. I need to listen to my body this week. I’m sure there will be a lot of celebrations. I think I need something a little stronger than Lucozade tonight.”
Ancelotti on fifth Champions League title: ‘This team is not difficult to manage’
Carlo Ancelotti lifts the Champions League trophy
Carlo Ancelotti has won this prestigious award five times as a manager – no other manager has done so four times, let alone five – and has won nine of the last 10 Champions League or domestic finals.
He said TNTNT“It’s like a dream, but it’s reality. I’m happy. It was a really difficult game, as always. They were better in the first half and we were better in the second half. That’s how finals go. We managed to win and it was a great season.”
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Real Madrid fans celebrated their Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund with a viewing party at the Bernabeu.
“This is the history and tradition of the club. We are in a great environment and work together without any problems. The atmosphere in the dressing room is good. I have to thank the club and the players, who don’t have big egos and are humble. It will not be difficult to manage this team this season.”
“I won’t be able to sleep tonight, that’s for sure.
“What’s your next goal? To always do your best.”
“This tournament has given me great happiness both as a player and as a coach. My goal is to experience those same emotions again.”
“I’m lucky enough to be at the best club in the world.”
Terzic: Real Madrid’s quality is incredible
Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic“The momentum shifted and you could see why they are the champions.
“The first 15-20 minutes of the second half was very close, but the opponents were incredible. We lost the momentum in the game with set pieces, so that’s something we have to learn from.”
“We were always dangerous in possession and on the counter-attack but we just couldn’t score and that was the main reason why we didn’t win the game.”
On Jadon Sancho’s future: “Jadon has been fantastic for us over the last six months. It took him a little while to get back into form but we feel his quality and skill will immediately improve our game. He has not only improved his own game but the games of the players around him. He is a very talented player.”
“We were talking about the present, the Champions League final in his hometown. I’m really happy he’s here with us. You can feel the joy he receives in the dressing room and the joy he brings to the dressing room.”
“It’s been a great pleasure working with Jadon. I don’t know what the future holds for him, but I have no doubt he will be in another Champions League final.”
