Real Madrid celebrated their Champions League victory on Sunday by putting on an open-top bus procession through the streets of Madrid and then having a fan celebration at the Bernabéu. With goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior in the second half, Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the championship game on Saturday at Wembley Stadium to win their 15th European Cup and their sixth Champions League in the previous ten years.
After winning the domestic championship last month, Madrid achieved a double under coach Carlo Ancelotti by winning both the Champions League and La Liga. This was their second double in three seasons. In addition, it was the final game for legendary Madrid player Toni Kroos, who will retire following this summer’s Euro in Germany. Speaking to the Puerta del Sol throng, Kroos remarked, “Three weeks ago [when Madrid celebrated winning LaLiga], I promised you that we’d be back here, and today we’re celebrating the 15th [European Cup].” “I sincerely appreciate ten years of amazing memories. I’m out of words.”
At approximately 5:45 p.m. local time, the Madrid team bussed out of the Bernabéu and stopped at the cathedral before going to the town hall adjacent and the regional government headquarters in Puerta del Sol, the center of the city. Following their triumph, the team returned to the Bernabéu, which was already crowded with supporters, shortly before 10:40 p.m. local time, joining a throng of thousands at Cibeles, the fountain where Madrid players and supporters celebrate trophy wins.
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Before speaking to the audience, each player was presented one at a time. Among them were Carvajal, who won player of the match at Wembley, and veteran midfielder Toni Kroos, who played his final game for the team before retiring this summer. With their last victory, Madrid completed an almost flawless season in which they won the Spanish Supercopa, La Liga, and the Champions League. They have only dropped two games all season, one in the league and one in the Copa del Rey against rivals Atlético Madrid.
With six goals, Vinícius led Madrid’s Champions League scoring, followed closely by forwards Joselu (who scored twice against Bayern Munich in the semifinals to secure Madrid’s trip to Wembley) and Rodrgo Goes, each with five goals. Vinicius remarked, “We’re very happy to be here again.” Being here with you [the fans] is vital. Dani [Carvajal], Luka [Modric], Nacho [Fernandez], and Kroos have all taught us a lot. The young people in this room are eager to win more.”
It seemed as though Modric, whose contract with Real Madrid ended at the end of the previous year, would return for the 2024–25 campaign. “I appreciate your help over the year. “See you in the upcoming season!” Modric said to the Bernabéu crowd. In the continental campaign, midfielder Jude Bellingham (who called the final “the best night of my life”) dished up five assists, one of which went to Vinícius at Wembley.
