Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he had a vision he would score the winning goal in the Champions League final after doing precisely that in Real Madrid’s shoot-out victory over Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Ronaldo – having suffered a thigh injury in training this week – looked short of match fitness for much of an enthralling contest at San Siro that was sent to extra-time after Yannick Carrasco cancelled out Sergio Ramos’ opener.
Carrasco’s goal handed a reprieve to Antoine Griezmann following the France forward’s penalty miss in normal time.
But it was Ronaldo who made the difference in the shoot-out, converting the decisive spot-kick after Juanfran had failed from 12 yards.
The Portugal star celebrated in typically exuberant fashion and told AS: “I feel joy. We share this Champions League with the fans. I haven’t seen my family but obviously this is for them, for the players, for everyone. Many thanks to the fans.
“I had a vision, I saw I’d score the winning goal. I asked Zizou to let me take the fifth penalty because I knew I was going to score the winning goal.
“[Head coach Zinedine] Zidane has done a phenomenal job. He deserves it, he’s humble and I’m happy for him.”
Asked about the prospect of reclaiming the Ballon d’Or from Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Ronaldo said: “Winning the Champions League was first and to be the top scorer.
“It’s the seventh year I’ve scored more than 50 goals, for the first time in history.”
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