Chelsea may have lost their tag as European champions on Saturday but they at least benefitted from Real Madrid’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool.
Chelsea’s reign as champions of Europe finally came to an end as Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Paris to become the new Champions League holders.
Vincius Junior’s goal was enough to separate the teams in the French capital as Real Madrid secured a record-extending 14th Champions League crown and lifted their second trophy of the season, after the La Liga title.
For Liverpool, the 1-0 defeat ensures their superb campaign ends in disappointment, with Jurgen Klopp’s side unable to add either the Champions League or Premier League to their earlier FA Cup and EFL Cup successes.
A Real Madrid victory was the best outcome for Chelsea, who not only saw their Premier League rivals lose but also netted themselves a tidy windfall thanks to a clause in Eden Hazard’s move.
The Belgian star moved to the Bernabeu in 2019 in a deal costing an initial £88.5m, but which included several add-ons that could take the full price to even more than £130m.
Chelsea scooped nearly £20m when Hazard helped Real Madrid win La Liga and qualify for the Champions League in 2020, and a similar sum will be heading to the Blues after Madrid’s Champions League win, according to reports.
The Blues will still get paid despite the fact Hazard has barely played for the La Liga champions this season and played no part in Saturday’s final.
Former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois was Real Madrid’s hero in Paris, with Hazard’s Belgium team-mate producing a string of brilliant saves and winning the Player of the Match award.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti hailed Real Madrid after they overcame Liverpool to win yet another Champions League.
He said: ‘I can’t believe it. We had a fantastic season. We did really well. It was a difficult game and we suffered a lot, more so in the first half. In the end I think we deserved to win this competition.
‘We’re really happy. What can I say? I can’t say more. I am a record man. I had luck to come here last year and have a fantastic season. A fantastic club, a really good squad with a lot of quality and mental character.
‘The season was top. I think we passed through really difficult games. The supporters helped us a lot in the last game. They helped us tonight. We’re happy and they’re happy.’
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp added: ‘In the dressing room nobody feels it was a great season at the moment. We maybe need a few hours for that.
‘We played a good game, not a perfect game. I don’t think a perfect game is possible against an opponent set up with a deep formation.
‘We had a lot of shots but not the clearest. Courtois made two top saves. We conceded a goal from a throw-in. Valverde wanted to shoot, Vinicius was there and that’s it.’
