Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has told his teammates that they can 'define an era' by overcoming Liverpool and winning the Champions League for a third successive year.
The Spanish giants, who lifted the famous trophy in 2014, 2016 and 2017, now have a chance to become the first team in more than four decades to achieve the feat of back-to-back defences.
Ramos believes that seeing off Liverpool in Kiev next weekend, in the same way as they beat Atletico Madrid and Juventus in the previous two finals, would demonstrate his side's European dominance and help secure their place in history.
"We know what a Champions League final entails," he is quoted as saying by Marca. "We've played in quite a few in recent years and we know what a huge occasion it is. We have to be focused because it can come down to very fine margins in these matches. [Winning another Champions League] is a dream and ambition of mine, but I don't know what it would feel like.
"Football moves so quickly that you don't have enough time to enjoy each moment. We always put our heart and soul into every competition that we play. Now we've been rewarded with another final and I hope we can win it, because it wouldn't just mean winning the Champions League again, it would prove this team have defined an era.
"When the referee blows, maybe you do have a bit more time to think about the lonely life you lead as a footballer; with so many trips and hotel stays, you spend so much time without your family and children. So it reminds you of the people who are around, who were around and whom you now miss.
"You're reminded of the sacrifice and hard work you put in as a footballer to reach that special moment. In my case, I'm honoured to be captain and I'm reminded of all those things because everything has served a purpose and helped me bring out the best in myself on such occasion."
Madrid rounded off their La Liga campaign with a 2-2 draw against Villarreal on Saturday evening, leaving them third in the standings.
Daniel Lewis
