Jude Bellingham shed tears of Wembley joy after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League.
The England midfielder, who will be hoping to make it a Euro double when Gareth Southgate ’s Three Lions go for glory in Germany this summer, could not hide his emotions after late goals by Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Junior broke the hearts of his former club Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham, who provided the assist for Vinicius to score Real’s second goal seven minutes from time, had to take a few moments to compose himself before saying: “I have always dreamed of playing in these games.
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“You go through life and there are so many people saying you can't do things and days like today remind you why...When it gets hard at times you start to wonder if it's all worth it. Nights like tonight make it all worth it.
“I was okay until I saw my mum and dad's faces. The nights they could have been home at seven o'clock but they are still out at eleven or twelve taking me to football.
“My little brother there who I am trying to be a role model for too. It’s hard to put it into words. It’s the best night of my life.”
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is the most successful coach in the history of the Champions League after lifting the trophy five times with Madrid and AC Milan, left Wembley promising to paint London red after performing a victory dance in front of Madrid delirious fans.
Ancelotti, who celebrates his 65th birthday a week on Monday, said: “I don't know what is going to happen tonight - but we are not going to sleep!”
He added: "It is the history and tradition of the club - and, of course, the quality of the players. The club is a family. We work together without problems and the atmosphere is really good in the dressing room. I need to thank the club and the players for having no big egos and being really humble. It seems like a dream - but it is reality. I am really happy.
It was a really difficult game as usual. They played better in the first half, we played better in the second half. But a final is always like this.”
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