Jude Bellingham described becoming a Champions League winner as the best night of his life after helping Real Madrid down his former club Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
Madrid clinched a record-extending 15th European crown on Saturday, claiming a hard-fought 2-0 win over Dortmund, who spurned several clear opportunities in the first half.
Dani Carvajal headed in Toni Kroos corner for the 74th-minute breakthrough, before an Ian Maatsen error allowed Bellingham to slip in Vinicius Junior for a late second.
At the age of 20 years and 338 days, Bellingham became the third-youngest player to start a Champions League final for Madrid, after Iker Casillas in 2000 (19 years, four days) and Raul in 1998 (20 years, 327 days).
He also became the third-youngest English player to do so with any team after Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2018 (19 years, 231 days) and Owen Hargreaves in 2001 (20 years, 123 days).
MOOD
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden)
Speaking to TNT Sports immediately after the full-time whistle, Bellingham was lost for words to describe the feeling of becoming a European champion.
I ve always dreamed of playing in these games, he said. You go through life and there are so many people saying you can t do things and days like today remind you why you do it.
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 were 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.