Cristiano Ronaldo: Champions League should rename itself after me

Real beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev on Saturday thanks to a Gareth Bale double and a Karim Benzema strike.

Bale also scored in Real’s 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the 2014 final, striking the goal that put Real ahead in extra time and on their way to finally landing “La Decima”, the 10th European crown they had craved for 12 years.

Madrid are the first team to achieve that feat since Bayern Munich in 1976.

Three quick thoughts on Real Madrid‘s 3-1 win over Liverpool to win their third straight Champions League, and fourth in five years. Five years into his Madrid career, the 28-year-old Bale wants to be more than a super-sub.

Six minutes later, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane introduced Welsh forward Gareth Bale to the game – a decisive substitute that had a major impact on the final. “The girl was in tears telling me and I was in tears with her to be honest with you”.

Loris Karius was reduced to tears after his terrible performance gifted Real Madrid two goals.

The Egyptian hurt his left shoulder as he went down in a challenge with Sergio Ramos in the 25th minute.

That would be some way to sign off if he is to leave Madrid this summer, with there sure to be no shortage of takers if Bale is to be made available on the open market. Carvajal is expected to start for Spain at the World Cup, so his injury is also a concern beyond Saturday. Their stupendous rise in the tournament has been aided by none other than the flawless Mohammad Salah, and has given them a very realistic chance of lifting their 6th European title.

Fully deserved his poacher’s goal after stepping up to lead the attack in Salah’s absence. Benzema stuck out a right foot, connected and the ball rolled slowly into an unguarded net, leaving Karius to appeal haplessly to the referee for a non-existent foul. We have had them from Liverpool airport and Manchester airport, and we have applied for slots in the correct manner and timeframe with the authorities.

But their renewed hope was crushed upon the introduction of Bale.

He tried to come back on, but was down on the field again a minute or two later.

Liverpool FC are likely to receive between €80m and €85m from UEFA on the back of their progression to the 2018 Champions League final, according to Deloitte.