MADRID (Spain): Zinedine Zidane credited his players for Real Madrid’s record 34th Spanish league title, and an 11th overall trophy win under his leadership.
Karim Benzema scored twice against Villareal for a 2-1 victory on Thursday to extend Madrid’s 10-match perfect winning record following the coronavirus-enforced break, sealing the club’s first league title in three years.
“The players are the ones who have fought for this. It’s true I’ve played my role but they are the ones who believe in what they are doing,” said Zidane. “This is one of the best days in my life professionally.”
After taking over as coach from Rafa Benitez at the start of 2016, Zidane led the club to three straight Champions League titles, two European Super Cups and as many Spanish Super Cups and FIFA Club World Cups.
“This is a tremendous feeling because what these players have done is incredible. I am lost for words because I am too emotional,” added the 48-year-old.
The Frenchman quit at the end of the 2017-18 season, but was asked to return less than a year later as the team endured a streak of poor results in the Spanish league and the Champions League.
Thursday’s title celebrations were subdued as the triumph came with Real Madrid playing in its training centre because the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is undergoing renovation work.
Fans have not been allowed into games since the pandemic, and the Spanish giants had warned supporters not to gather at the team’s traditional celebration spots in the capital. Most of the early celebrations came from fans honking their car horns across Madrid’s streets.
“It’s another league title, after the confinement and everything else that happened,” said Zidane, whose illustrious career as a player includes winning the Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid, as well as the World Cup with France.
“I wish we could celebrate with the fans, but I’m sure they are very happy at home seeing their team win the league again.”
