Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 8y

Sergio Ramos ecstatic after securing first UCL title as Real Madrid captain

After Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 on penalties to win Saturday's Champions League final in Milan, Los Blancos skipper Sergio Ramos said that scoring again in the final and then lifting the trophy had been an "incredible feeling."

Just as in Lisbon two years ago, Ramos scored against Atletico in the UCL decider, although this game took on a different shape than in 2014 when Madrid won 4-1 in extra-time.

Atletico equalised through Yannick Carrasco and the game went all the way to a penalty shootout in which Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive spot kick for Madrid.

Ramos was named as UEFA's official man of the match after the game, and told a news conference at San Siro that words couldn't describe the satisfaction he was feeling.

"It is extraordinary, to have this feeling again, twice in just three years," Ramos said.

"After a difficult season with lots of ups and downs, changes which can affect the squad. But our work has been rewarded.

"The truth is it has been incredible -- an unforgettable feeling in your heart to score again. The feeling was amazing, to lift the trophy in my first season as captain makes me very proud.

"It was marvellous -- I will always know that I have lifted this trophy."

The changes Ramos referred to were Madrid coach Rafa Benitez being sacked last January with the season lurching into crisis, but replacement Zinedine Zidane bringing about an upswing in fortunes which culminated in the Champions League win.

"To talk about Zizou, is to talk about humility, work, optimism," Ramos said. "He brought that the first time he came in and the squad picked up.

"There was a feeling with the players which was not there before. That is why we gave him 'the bumps' as he deserved [on the pitch after the game].

"There is no need to talk about the past -- we had a period with Rafa Benitez, and it is over now. With Zizou there was more happiness in the dressing-room.

"But I will not give you any headlines -- with Benitez we had good and bad moments, the same as with any family."

Ramos said he was happy that Ronaldo had taken the fifth penalty, and that the shootout had lasted long enough for it to be decisive.

"For us it is very important for him to be motivated, and ready," he said. "I took number four as that is my number.

"I remember that against us [Spain at Euro 2012] with Portugal he was down to take the fifth and never got to take it -- as we went through. But tonight it all went well."

Ramos also had words of consolation for Atletico after another crushing final defeat.

"We had a tough opponent and I congratulate them for their extraordinary work," he said. "But we both could not win, and now the trophy is coming home again.

"I have maximum respect for Atletico, value a lot what they have done, they have been up there for many years."

Madrid holding midfielder Casemiro's contribution was also recognised.

"I almost never talk about individual players, but Casemiro has had a great season," Ramos said. "At the start he did not get much playing time, but there are many important players in the squad.

"He took his chance very well, brought a lot of balance to the team, brought something the team needed."

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