Reaching the final and facing Cristiano Ronaldo was simply incredible. Since the start of my career, I had heard about him as an exceptional player, but seeing him right there in front of me on the pitch during that decisive moment… it was something else. I knew he was dangerous with both feet. Whether it was his left or his right, he could make a difference in an instant. He was a true machine, a complete athlete, one of the best footballers of the era, if not the best.
When we shook hands before kick-off, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of respect and apprehension. I found myself sighing internally, thinking, “What are we going to do? How are we going to stop him?” My heart was racing, my hands were sweaty, and I could already feel the tension rising throughout my body. Every player has felt that mix of adrenaline and nerves before an important match, but this was amplified tenfold.
I knew it wasn’t the time to panic. I needed a plan, a clear strategy. So, I turned to Piqué and Busquets, my trusted teammates, and spoke frankly: “The only way to control him is if we act together. I’ll take one side, and you two take the other.” I wanted them to understand that this wasn’t just an individual challenge. To contain a player of his caliber, we needed coordination, anticipation, and discipline.
During the match, every move Cristiano made kept us on our toes. He never gave away a ball easily; every dribble, every pass, every shot was calculated with precision. We had to be in sync, ready to react at any moment. Every time I approached him, my mind was racing, analyzing his movements, trying to guess his intentions. And yet, despite all that preparation, a part of me secretly admired his mastery of the game.
This final will stay etched in my memory not just for the intensity of the match, but also for the unique experience of having to face a player of that caliber. It wasn’t just a game; it was a test of courage, strategy, and determination. And despite the fear and tension, there was also that incredible feeling of being on the same pitch as one of the greatest of all time.
