Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to criticism after claiming his third Champions League title with Real Madrid last weekend and is adamant he is still at the peak of his powers.
The Portuguese international was a peripheral figure against Atletico Madrid at the San Siro for large spells but seized the opportunity to slam home the fifth spot kick to clinch the club’s 11th European crown.
He said: “This season I was the number one in the team, again, for most minutes. I have more than 4,000. That means a lot to me. It means I am still good, I still feel good physically, mentally. I was the top scorer in this competition again (with 16 goals).
“If you ask me if I feel tired now, of course, I have a lot of minutes in the legs. But I am still there, I am always there. I showed the team I am there for the good moments and bad moments. This is what makes me feel proud.”
Ronaldo admitted that his performance was not up to his usual high standards, pointing to fatigue after a long season, but the 31-year-old says victory matters above everything else.
“My performance (in the final) is maybe not the best one but who played unbelievable? No one. So it’s tough, it’s the end of the season, you don’t have power in the legs that you have in the beginning of the season, but I did my best. I ran and we won. That is the most important.
“To win my third Champions League is unbelievable.”
Ronaldo continues to defy belief with his extraordinary numbers, eclipsing 50 goals in all competitions once again, but the former Manchester United star is hungry for more.
"In six years I'm scoring more than 50 goals, but I am asking for more. I am always at the top level. I just want to maintain that."
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