MADRID, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Cristiano Ronaldo made no secret of his ambition to win a fifth Champions League title when he spoke to the press on Tuesday during Real Madrid's open day ahead of the final against Liverpool.
Ronaldo has already won one Champions League with Manchester United and three with Real Madrid and a fourth on Saturday would mean his club wins the tournament for the third consecutive year after beating Atletico Madrid in 2016 and Juventus in 2017.
"It would be an historic moment. We are excited as a team. You can see it around the training ground," said Ronaldo, who added that after a recent ankle injury he was "confident and feeling fit... If I win a fifth (Champions League) it would be amazing," he said.
Real Madrid had a poor domestic season, losing in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey to Leganes and ending the league season 17 points behind FC Barcelona, but Ronaldo explained Europe has a different appeal for his club.
"The Champions League is a special competition. I love playing in Europe. We have been through some fantastic moments, these are always amazing games. PSG, Juventus... you have to play against the best teams," he said.
He denied his side had lacked motivation after winning in the past two years. "You can't relax at this club, particularly in this competition," he commented, adding the competition has "been synonymous with Real Madrid ... We sense it as players and the fans do as well," continued Ronaldo
The Portuguese international said he would have preferred to face his former club, Manchester United, rather than Liverpool, but was quick to accept that Liverpool "deserve to be in the final. They remind me of Madrid three or four years ago."
"Their three front players (Salah, Firminho and Mane) are very quick... they are powerful in attack and I respect them. But Madrid are better," he concluded. Enditem
