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In the early days, Real Madrid's hero was Alfredo Di Stéfano, winning five European Cups. Since it wasn't enough, Gento had to win his and the team's sixth Cup. For the seventh European Cup, it was Pedja Mijatovic to beat Juventus. For the eighth, it had to be McManaman and Raúl with his epic gallop. And how can anyone forget about Zidane's epic volley in Glasgow to win the ninth?
The question here is, who's going to step up against Atlético for la Décima? Fear not. The question has an easy answer. That has to be, without a doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo.
While the road to Lisbon started after beating Bayern Munich, it wouldn't be wrong to say it actually started in 2009. June 26, to be precise. That's the day when Real Madrid signed CR7. The objective? To win the Champions League. As simple as that.
Cristiano already belongs to Real Madrid's Olympus. He's already one of the greatest players in the history of this team. However, Florentino Pérez brought him to win the Champions League. We know it, Ronaldo knows it. His Real Madrid career has been spectacular, and what better way to make it even more legendary than winning the European Cup? To be the key player in the Champions League final?
I guarantee you Ronaldo has been dreaming about this particular scenario. He's waited for this chance since he got to Madrid in 2009 and now it's right in front of him. I'm 100% sure he will try to not only help his teammates, but he'll also do his best to steal the show. Cris is one hungry fellow, and he wants to go down in Real Madrid's history not only as a Champions League winner, but with an epic moment like Zidane's volley as well. That's just how badly he wants to be a legend.
Expect him to come out as a wild beast, looking as confident as he's even been. Great condition, perfect smile, perfect hair and especially that scary killer instinct that makes him break record after record and score the most ridiculous goals. He'll ask for every ball, he'll try to score from any angle and he'll definitely take every free kick. He'll try to pull the fanciest passes and the most complicated tricks. He knows it's his time and his chance to do exactly what he was brought in to do.
So, dear Ronaldo, the journey to Lisbon started with you in June, 2009. Four years later, Real Madrid is calling for a new hero in another final. The lights are on, the music is about to start, and it's finally your time to dance.