Cristiano Ronaldo has confessed in an interview with UEFA.com that he has long dreamed of winning the Champions League for Real Madrid.
“I won it with Manchester United and now it is my fifth season here at Real Madrid. I have always dreamed of winning this competition with this club,” he claimed.
The Portuguese admitted to be very motivated for the Lisbon final against Atletico Madrid that will be played on May 24th: “It will be a very special match which takes place in my country. I’m very happy and excited.”
“It is a trophy we have spent years trying to win. As a result, from the very first day we arrive at the club we feel a positive kind of pressure geared towards winning the Champions League. This year it feels like we are just one small step away from doing it,” he said.
“Pressure is a part of football and of playing for Real Madrid. We are used to having to win all the time, but it is fine. I like the pressure because it makes me a better player. It is a special kind of adrenalin we feel,” he added.
Ronaldo knows that beating their city rivals won’t be easy: “I’m going to try to enjoy it to the maximum because you don’t reach a final every day. We know it will be a very difficult match because Atletico are having a very impressive year. They are a very good team and they have a great coach. But we want to try to win and give our best.”
The 29-year-old explained the team “is in good shape and is confident”, despite the recent injury problems. Ronaldo himself has been suffering from muscle fatigue and he’s expected to rest in La Liga to arrive in perfect fitness to Lisbon’s game.
Real madrid could be winning the champion.