REAL'S 'ETERNAL' QUEST GOES ON

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told the "eternal" club to turn its attention to winning a 15th European Cup, as the players celebrated their Champions League triumph with thousands of fans in the Spanish capital on Sunday.

Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 at Stade de France on Saturday, with Vinicius Junior netting the winner to secure the club its fifth Champions League title in the last nine seasons.

To celebrate the success, the players paraded the trophies on an open-top bus tour around the city, which included stops at Almudena Cathedral, regional government headquarters, City Hall, Plaza de Cibeles and finally Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

"Real Madrid has made history again and here is our 14th European Cup and 35th La Liga trophy," Perez said at the regional government headquarters.

"This European Cup, won against a legendary club like Liverpool, will be remembered as one of the greatest in the history of the Champions League. This club's legend grows bigger and bigger. We have beaten four of the best teams in Europe by fighting and always believing until the end.

"It has been a wonderful season and it has been achieved in one of the most beautiful and difficult times in our history. Five Champions Leagues in eight years is something very difficult for football fans to forget from all over the world. Madrid is eternal. And now, let's go for the 15th."

Perez also praised Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who this season has become the first coach to win four European Cups and the first to win all five major European leagues.

"He symbolizes what Real Madrid is," said Perez.

Dressed in black suits, white shirts and black ties, the Madrid players signed shirts, gave autographs and posed for photos with fans.

On top of the bus, the players wore Real Madrid shirts that had the No 14 and 'champions' written on the back.

Karim Benzema and club captain Marcelo held the Champions League trophy together while Luka Modric and Nacho Fernandez carried the La Liga trophy.

"I haven't slept much, I had too much adrenaline to be able to sleep," said goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was named man of the match in the final.

"I still can't believe it, it's an incredible feeling. For me it's an honor to play for Real Madrid and I hope I can help the team win more."

Several thousand fans had already spent the early hours of Sunday partying at the club's traditional celebration spot, Plaza de Cibeles, before the players arrived there in the evening.

Marcelo draped the statue of the goddess Cybele with a Madrid flag and scarf, then lifted the trophy again as fans cheered.

At the Bernabeu, players addressed the crowd and once again lifted the trophy as confetti and fireworks were set off.

"What a season, what a season," said Ancelotti, who won a record fourth Champions League title as a coach. "We had a good time at this stadium this season."

AFP