Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo says he has always dreamed of winning the Champions League with Los Blancos.
The Portuguese lifted the trophy in 2008 while with Manchester United but has not progressed past the semi-finals during his time with the Spanish giants until this season.
The nine-time winners of the tournament however have reached the final this year, with only local rivals Atletico Madrid standing in the way of a historic tenth title for the club.
In an interview with UEFA’s official website, the 29-year-old spoke of the positive pressure his side felt under to deliver the trophy for their supporters.
“It will be a very special match taking place in my country,” Ronaldo said of the Lisbon showpiece occasion. “I am very happy and excited.
“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 team is in good shape and has confidence.
“La Decima is a moment that all Madridistas dream about. We are all very excited and we have to win.
“I won the Champions League 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.
“It is a trophy we have been trying to win for many years. Because of this, from the first day we players arrive at the club we feel a positive pressure to win the Champions League.
“This year we know we are one small step away from achieving it. Pressure is part of football and playing for Real Madrid.
“We are used to having to win all the time, but it’s fine. I like the pressure because it makes me a better player. We have a great adrenalin.
“It has been a great season and the fans can feel it. We are very close to achieving something very important.
“As players, we need to win matches and the fans support us so much both inside and outside the stadium.”
Ronaldo was then asked about his relationship with teammate Gareth Bale and Coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“Gareth is an excellent player, he has adapted very well. He has had some fantastic games in the Champions League, La Liga and and in the cup.
“He scored an excellent goal against Barcelona and he has shown his quality. We both speak English and we have naturally become closer.
“I already liked him as a player and now that I know him as a person I like him even more. We talk a lot and I do anything I can to help him.
“Ancelotti? From the start it has been a very good experience with him, he is a great person. He is a unique human being.
“As a Coach, there is nothing you can say because he has already won everything. What stands out most about him is his humility as a friend and as a person. It’s the same for everyone who works with him.”
Finally, the player commented on what it will mean for him to contest a Champions League final in him homeland.
“It’s at the Estadio da Luz, which is a legendary place for everyone in Portugal and for me. It’s in my country and I am very happy about that.
“I know that not everyone will be behind Real Madrid, that’s fine. I’m going to try to enjoy it to the maximum because you don’t reach a final every day.”
