Uefa Champions League: Record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo eager for Lisbon final

Munich: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo says the chance to win the Champions League title with Real Madrid in Lisbon means more to him than setting the new European goal-scoring record.

The 29-year-old Real star netted twice in Tuesday’s historic 4-0 rout of Bayern Munich as the holders suffered their heaviest home defeat in European competition to crash out of the semi-finals 5-0 on aggregate.

Ronaldo picked up his 15th and 16th goals of the current European campaign to help put the Spanish side into the final in Lisbon on May 24 as Carlo Ancelotti’s side humiliated the defending champions.

The Portuguese forward’s two goals helped him eclipse the previous best of 14 in a season registered by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in 2011-12 and Jose Altafini of AC Milan in 1962-63.

“The team really helped me, I am overjoyed, but not primarily because of the cup record, but mainly because we now have the chance to win the title, especially in my home country, in Lisbon,” said Ronaldo, who was born on the island of Madeira, but started his professional career at Sporting Lisbon.

Real will face either Mourinho’s Chelsea or neighbours Atletico Madrid in the Lisbon final as they look to claim ‘La Decima’ — their tenth European title having last reached the Champions League final in 2002.

“We’ll go there [to Lisbon] with our heads held high, but with our feet on the ground. It will be a difficult game,” said Ronaldo, with the final to be held at the Estadio da Luz, the home of Benfica, the local rivals of Sporting, who Ronaldo left in 2003 to join Manchester United as an 18-year-old.

Ronaldo put Real’s emphatic win down to their Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti as reigning European champions Bayern were humiliated in their own Allianz Arena stadium.

“It is solely the merit of Carlo Ancelotti,” Ronaldo said of the Italian who replaced Jose Mourinho, who now coaches Chelsea, at the start of the season.

“He changed everything, especially the mentality of the players.”

The World Player of the Year, Ronaldo reached the new record goal tally in just 10 appearances in the competition this season, his tally also including a hat-trick against Galatasaray in the group stage and braces against FC Copenhagen, Juventus and in both legs of the last-16 tie against Schalke 04.

Ronaldo has now scored 66 Champions League goals and is closing in on former Real Madrid striker Raul’s overall record for the most goals in the competition of 71.

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti said he is relishing bidding for Real Madrid’s tenth European title after reaching his fourth Champions League final as a coach, equalling the record.

“To reach the final after 12 years, that is a fantastic objective to have reached,” said the 54-year-old Ancelotti, who replaced Mourinho as Real coach at the start of the season.

“When I came to Madrid, there was a special atmosphere and you can feel the desire to win ‘La Decima’.

“The players were fantastic and we have to keep the same attitude for the final.

“This is one victory here and nothing else.

“We’re happy to beat the defending champions, we managed to prevent them from scoring in either leg and controlled both matches very well, so we deserved the win.”

Having won the Champions League title in 2003 and 2007 with AC Milan, Ancelotti could face his former club Chelsea in the final after they host Atletico in Wednesday’s other semi-final.

“Chelsea are really strong and have a lot of confidence, but it doesn’t really matter who we’ll face, just that we are there,” he said having coached Chelsea from 2009-11.

The only downside to Real’s stunning win in Germany was the loss of Xabi Alonso for the final after he picked up his third booking of the campaign for a first-half foul.

“We’re sad to lose Xabi Alonso, not just for tactical reasons, but he’s also a big loss as a personality. We’re sad for him,” added Ancelotti.

Goal-scorer Ramos said it was a dream to reach the final.

“Today, Madrid went to a level that will be recognised across the world and to score two goals is a dream,” he said.

“The final in Lisbon is a dream. It has been a long time coming and we need to thank all our fans.

“I hope everyone at home is enjoying tonight.”

Having beaten Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, Real can claim more silverware this season.

“There are still more games to come, but we want to just enjoy the moment, the expectations are now huge in Madrid,” said Real’s Welsh star Gareth Bale.