MADRID: Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was named the Champions League’s player of the season by UEFA’s technical observer panel on Monday.

Vinicius played 10 matches in the competition for champions Real, scoring six goals and assisting in five. He was on the scoresheet when Real beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final on Saturday, earning his second Champions League medal with the club.

The UEFA panel also named Real midfielder Jude Bellingham the best young player of the competition. The 20-year-old England international scored four goals and provided five assists in 11 appearances.

The goal of the season award also went to a Real player, with Federico Valverde’s late first-time volley strike against Manchester City at home in the quarter-finals taking the honour. The goal, assisted by Vinicius, ensured a 3-3 result for the hosts, who won the tie on penalties.

The triumphant Real players hit Madrid’s usual celebration hotspots on Sunday with tens of thousands of supporters escorting the team’s open-top bus after they were cro­wned European champions for a record-extending 15th time.

The team’s stars, led by president Florentino Perez, made their first stop at the city’s Almudena cathedral.

“I don’t know which team Jesus would support, but I know that... he would surely appreciate this cup,” said the cardinal archbishop of Madrid, Jose Cobo, who was left with a replica trophy.

The team then returned to the Madrid regional government’s headquarters to present another replica to president Isabel Diaz Ayuso, whom they also met after winning La Liga.

“If we are here, it’s because there’s good news,” said Real Madrid captain Nacho. “Once again we are champions of Europe. It seems easy to say -- 15 time champions... I hope it’s many more times.” Nacho, along with Dani Carvajal, the retiring Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, reached a career sixth Champions League victory, equalling the all-time record set by former Real winger Paco Gento well over half a century earlier.

Perez, thanked midfielder Kroos, who has said he will retire after Euro 2024, “for everything he has represented on and off the pitch.”

“Thank you for 10 unforgettable years,” the Germany international told ecstatic fans at the central Sol square who were chanting “Toni, stay”.

A heavy police presence accompanied the bus to a packed Cibeles fountain, where Nacho wrapped a club scarf around the statue representing the Phrygian goddess Cybele.

The party ended at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with a light show. On a special stage set up for the occasion, midfielder Modric, 38, confirmed he would be staying at the club.

“See you next season,” he told relieved fans.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2024