Real Madrid players ecstatic at winning fifth UCL trophy in nine years

PARIS: Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, who scored the all-important goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool here on Sunday morning (IST) and helped the Spanish giants clinch a record-extending 14th title, expressed the desire to "rewrite the history books at this club".

The Brazilian winger capitalised on Federico Valverde's cross in the 59th minute to tap the ball into an empty net at the Stade de France, securing the fifth Champions League trophy for Los Blancos in nine years.

"Real Madrid players are used to winning things. This is my first Champions League triumph and I'm so happy. I want to keep on winning much more and rewrite the history books at this club," said an ecstatic Vini Jr.

Describing the heady feeling following the win, Casemiro said, "You often can't believe that you've won it again, but this is now our fifth (in nine years)."

"You can't put it into words. It's now time to celebrate it and really enjoy it. We've worked hard all season. It's incredible to have reached this stage after having enjoyed so many tough times. There's nothing better than winning things in this shirt. It's a dream come true for me to be here and winning the Champions League. When you're a player, it doesn't get any more exciting than this."

Despite having not scored in the final, Madrid's lethal forward Karim Benzema, who finished the season as the top scorer of the tournament with 15 goals, including 10 in the knockout stage, said, "We showed everyone that we're here, alive and winning things.

"We deserved the final we got, it was a beautiful game. A tough clash, one of the most difficult in the Champions League because there is so much history with this team. A final is always going to be hard, it's really tough work, so tiring. We're La Liga champions and we came into the game on a good run of form. We scored the offside goal and that got us into the game. In the second half we played like we always do, to win in the final," added Benzema. IANS

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