MILAN // Zinedine Zidane hailed Real Madrid as the "club of my life" after a dramatic Uefa Champions League penalty shoot-out victory over Atletico Madrid that left Diego Simeone pondering his future.
Former France and Real Madrid forward Zidane scored the winning goal when Real they beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 to lift the title in Glasgow in 2002.
Having been the assistant to Carlo Ancelotti when the Italian coaching great steered Real to the 10th title in Lisbon two years ago, Zidane now gets a taste of the trophy for a third time after joining an elite few who have lifted the trophy as a player and a coach.
See also:
• Richard Jolly: Cristiano Ronaldo smashes home winning penalty as Zinedine Zidane joins elite company with Champions League title
• Ian Hawkey: In the pressure cooker of a Champions League final, Zidane and Simeone need to keep their cool
• Diego Forlan: Cristiano Ronaldo has to start Champions League final, even if only 80 per cent fit
Once a favourite at Juventus, the 43-year-old Frenchman Zidane said there is now no other club in his heart.
“I was given the chance to come to this amazing club, and then to coach it. I have a phenomenal team and great players who are also talented, and it was together we achieved what we did tonight,” he said.
“I’ve won the Champions League as a player, as an assistant and now as a head coach. I’m so proud to be part of this great club. It’s the club of my life, the one that made me who I am.
“Carlo Ancelotti wanted me to experience this feeling, as the No 1 coach, and he was right. I’m so happy.”
Photo gallery: Cristiano Ronaldo hits winner and Real Madrid hoist Uefa Champions League trophy
Two years ago, Real captain Sergio Ramos levelled at the death to keep Real in the final, before they ran riot in extra time to prevail 4-1.
Atletico came to Milan determined to make amends, but Simeone’s men were dominated throughout at the San Siro.
A Ramos opener on 15 minutes took the wind out of Atletico’s sails and French striker Antoine Griezmann put them further off course when he slammed a penalty off the underside of the crossbar seconds into the second half.
Despite Yannick Carrasco levelling on 79 minutes, Atletico were undone on penalties after club favourite Juanfran's effort came off the upright, handing Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to secure Real's 11th crown with his subsequent spot kick.
It left Simeone devastated, and the Argentine gave an indication of his feelings when he admitted he could be pushed to think about his future with the two-time Europa League winners.
“I think I could start thinking about my future,” Simeone said cryptically. “It puts a lot of years on you.”
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