Zidane: ‘This is as good as winning the World Cup’

Champions League victory on penalties ‘is the best,’ says Real Madrid manager

ZINEDINE ZIDANE, the Real Madrid manager, admits winning the Champions League is equal to lifting the World Cup as a player for France.

Real claimed their 11th European Cup on penalties as Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner immediately after Juanfran rattled the post with his effort, with the Atletico full-back the only player to miss from the spot in the shootout.

Real captain Sergio Ramos’s firsthalf goal was cancelled out by Atletico substitute Yannick Carrasco as the game ended 1-1 following extra-time, but it was Real who came out on top.

It meant Zidane, who only took over from the sacked Rafael Benitez in January, has won the Champions League as both a player and manager for the club.

“At the end getting the Champions League is the best along with winning the World Cup,” said the Frenchman, a world champion in 1998.

“After all the work we did I am very proud, it has been a phenomenal job.

“I’m happy because I’ve been part of this great club for a long time now. I feel really very proud.”

Zidane took over with the club in difficulties but managed to finish the season on a high after domestic disappointment, although questions still remain about his long-term future at the Bernabeu.

“The future? We’ll see, now let’s enjoy this,” he added.

“Of course I dreamed. You always have to dream, think positive, be optimistic, and know that things can get done with work and effort.

“I’m very happy for everything we’ve achieved together. It’s not easy at all. We’ve really worked hard, fought it out.

“When you have players of this calibre, with this talent, you can achieve something big like we have tonight.”

Ronaldo claimed he had envisaged scoring the winning goal and paid tribute to Zidane.

“I had a vision. I knew I was going to score the winning goal,” he said.

“I asked [Zidane] to let me take the fifth penalty because I was going to score the winning goal.

“Zidane has done a phenomenal job. He deserves it, he has humility and I’m happy for him.”

Ramos, named man of the match, admitted an 11th European Cup ensured a disappointing season had been turned around.

“We had a unique opportunity to make history after a tough season,” he told the club website.

“We’ve had some ups and downs and the reward is this title, an award for the work and sacrifice.”

Atletico coach Diego Simeone, meanwhile, who tasted Champions League final agony for the second time in three seasons, was gracious in defeat.

“I’d like to congratulate Real Madrid. Once again they were superior to us, this time at penalties,” said the Argentine.

“The team that wins is always the best team. I don’t believe in excuses.

“I need to go home and heal my wounds. I’ve never had it easy but two finals in three years is a magnificent achievement.

“We need to continue working. I need to think things out on my part.

“It puts a lot of years on you. I don’t know which defeat hurts the most.

“What really hurts me is to see the hurt of the people who’ve paid to come here, I feel a bit responsible that I wasn’t able to give them what they wanted. That’s what really hurts.

“But I feel proud of my players. We had to defeat Barcelona and Bayern [to get to the final]. I love my players.”

And midfielder Tiago Mendes is convinced the Argentine will remain in charge.

“I have no doubt that Simeone will stay with us,” said Tiago. “The blow is hard to take, but we’ll get up. We always have. We’re very proud of what we did this season.

“This is a winning group. I’m very proud of my team-mates and we’ll continue fighting for our objectives, so we’ll keep dreaming.”

Real midfielder James Rodriguez, meanwhile, has spoken of his desire to remain at the Bernabeu despite being left on the bench for the entire match.

The Colombia international, 24, who joined in 2014 for a fee that could rise to £71million, is yet to fully establish himself at the club and there has been speculation surrounding his future.

“I want to stay here and my idea is to be here for many more years. This is the ideal club and I want to be here.”