Chapter 609: A New Legend
Bruno was immediately surrounded by reporters; he was the brightest star of the match, undoubtedly the best player on the field, and he might even win the MVP of the Champions League for the season. Later this year, he is highly likely to claim both the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year after two years.
Leading his team to become the first ever quadruple winners and potentially a seven-time champion, neither La Liga champion and top scorer Messi nor the reigning Champions League top scorer Ronaldo could match Bruno. In both team and individual honors, Bruno had a significant advantage over Messi and Ronaldo.
Of course, Messi might still surpass Bruno if he leads Argentina to a World Cup victory while Bruno and Ronaldo underperform. As for Ronaldo, his chances of a Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year three-peat are almost nonexistent. Given that both represent Portugal and Ronaldo trails Bruno significantly in club achievements, it's hard for him to overtake Bruno based solely on national team performance.
...
"Bruno! Look here!" "Over here, Bruno! Hey!" ... Photographers shouted to get Bruno's attention, so he kept turning his head and smiling for the cameras. Meanwhile, microphones, voice recorders, and phones were thrust towards him.
"First of all, congratulations on winning the Champions League. Do you have anything special to say right now?" "I'm very happy!" Bruno raised his arms and shouted. He was genuinely ecstatic. "Winning this championship makes me very happy!"
"This isn't your first Champions League title. Why are you still so excited?" a reporter asked. "Indeed, it's not my first, but no one would ever complain about winning too many Champions League titles. It's the pinnacle of a footballer's career, at least in terms of club honors!" Bruno replied seriously.
"Does beating Real Madrid feel especially good?" a Spanish reporter asked. "Yes, they are the strongest team in world football today. Defeating them in such an important final makes me very happy. Winning this championship carries a lot of weight; no one can say we won just by luck!" Bruno answered, neither exaggerating Real Madrid's strength nor belittling them.
"Do you consider leading Manchester United to win the Champions League a miracle?" the same Spanish reporter asked. Bruno felt a bit annoyed but kept his cool. "No, it's not a miracle. It's proof of our strength. Since I joined Manchester United, we've achieved many great results, none of which were miracles; they were earned through our hard work."
A reporter from AS still couldn't accept Real Madrid losing to Manchester United and asked sourly, "Although Real Madrid lost the final, their football is eternal, don't you agree, Bruno?" This question was definitely not friendly, and the surrounding journalists were momentarily stunned, especially those from Manchester, who felt angry.
Bruno's response surprised everyone and made them laugh. "Yes, Real Madrid's football is eternal, but the championship belongs to Manchester United!!"
A reporter from The Guardian even applauded after Bruno's answer. What confidence and pride! This is what a Manchester United captain should be!
...
The defeated Real Madrid players quickly retreated to the locker room. They would have to come out later for the award ceremony, which would be a real torment for them.
Believing they were certain to win, Real Madrid's proud players now had to serve as the backdrop for the champions.
This was a hard pill to swallow for such a proud team. Since the Champions League's format change, they had reached the final six times and won all six. The last time they reached the final but didn't win was in 1981, defeated by another English team in red, Liverpool.
In the past four years, Real Madrid had reached the Champions League final three times and won all three. This group of Real Madrid players had never experienced standing on the runner-up podium.
"The supposedly invincible, strongest team in world football today, Real Madrid, has been defeated! They lost in the most crucial and least expected match! And they were defeated by a ten-man team! This English team created a miracle!" exclaimed British commentator Andy Gray passionately summarizing the match.
"How was this miracle created? Look at Manchester United's performance throughout this match, especially when they were down by a goal and a man. Bruno's performance is just a glimpse; if he were the only one playing well, Manchester United could never have beaten Real Madrid!"
"Congratulations to them! They have shattered Real Madrid's myth as the kings of the Champions League! They have shown everyone that Real Madrid is not invincible! I think this is the greatest significance of this final for us."
"In breaking Real Madrid's myth, they have also created a great myth of their own! The entire 2017-2018 season, Manchester United remained undefeated in all competitions!"
"Yes, undefeated in all competitions for the entire season, not just the Premier League, not just the Champions League, but all competitions! All 65 matches, the Red Devils did not lose a single one!"
"This is an unprecedented legend, and it might never be matched again!"
...
After celebrating wildly on the field and giving interviews, Manchester United's players returned to the locker room to change into their championship commemorative T-shirts.
The club had prepared well, considering both winning and losing scenarios. If they won, there would be a big celebration.
Everyone was still very excited upon returning to the locker room. They even started goofing around naked in the locker room.
Bruno, being the last one to enter due to media interviews, was immediately drenched with champagne upon opening the door!
"Welcome our hero!!" Ibrahimović stood on a bench holding a half-empty bottle of champagne, leading the cheer.
"Hero! Hero!!"
The other teammates stood in front of Bruno, raising their hands in a bowing gesture.
More champagne was poured from Ibrahimović's bottle, and Bruno, now soaking wet, could only raise his hands to block it.
However, Bruno was not one to back down. He quickly grabbed a bottle of champagne and sprayed it at his teammates.
The entire locker room turned into a chaotic scene.
After the chaos ended, Bruno led everyone in a chant: "Champions! Champions! We are champions! Champions! Champions! We are champions!!"
This scene, of course, was captured by the media who swarmed in.
Some players even sprayed champagne at the photographers, getting them involved in the celebration.
Finally, urged by the assistant coach, the players rushed to the shower to rinse off the champagne. Some didn't even take a proper shower, putting on the commemorative T-shirts and heading out.
...
While Manchester United was still celebrating in the locker room, the runner-up award ceremony had already started.
Manchester United had been celebrating so wildly that they forgot the time. Impatient Real Madrid began their award ceremony first.
They walked up to the podium at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv one by one, shaking hands with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and receiving their silver medals.
Only a few players bowed their heads to let Čeferin hang the medals around their necks. Most took the medals from Čeferin and held them in their hands, looking dejected and unwilling.
They had every reason to be unwilling because they lost to a ten-man Manchester United!
Was there anything more humiliating?
Čeferin was also disappointed that his favorite Real Madrid didn't win the championship.
When Zidane came up to receive his medal, Čeferin held his hand and said a few words: "It's a pity you didn't win, but you have already done an excellent job, Zinedine."
Zidane shook his head helplessly, "We weren't very lucky..."
He was referring to facing a freakish player like Bruno, who not only matched Ronaldo's offensive prowess but also excelled defensively, making him a player with no weaknesses.
However, to others, Zidane's words might seem rather annoying.
Having an extra player and receiving a penalty kick, yet still considering themselves unlucky? What would be considered lucky?
Čeferin patted his shoulder with a smile, "Work hard next season, Zinedine. Your football is the trend!"
Zidane thought to himself that it was still uncertain whether he would remain as Real Madrid's coach next season. After leading such a strong team to a trophy-less season, finishing third in La Liga, 17 points behind their rivals Barcelona, and losing the Champions League final despite having an extra player, he feared he might be fired as early as tomorrow.
However, he forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Mr. Čeferin."
But as he turned away, the smile disappeared from his face.
Just now, he was putting on a brave face. At this moment, he really couldn't muster a smile.
(END CHAPTER)
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