In the early hours of June 2nd, the Champions League final concluded at Wembley Stadium. Real Madrid, the Galactic Warships, triumphed over Dortmund 2-0, achieving their sixth Champions League title in ten years. Competitive sports can be ruthless. With Real Madrid’s victory, Reus and Hummels bid a sorrowful farewell, experiencing the same sting as Buffon once did.
Before this match, Kroos announced his official retirement at the end of the season. Reus’ contract expires and he won’t be renewing, ending his 12-year journey with the Black and Yellows. Was it the perfect farewell for Real Madrid’s midfield maestro, or did the loyal servant of the Bumblebees finally achieve closure after years of disappointment and regret?
Many fans were rooting for Reus, believing that Kroos, with five Champions League titles already, could afford to lose one. Reus, though, has spent over a decade with Dortmund, turning down offers from top clubs, with only the German Cup and German Super Cup titles to his name. Many hoped he could complete his final act with the coveted trophy, the big ears.
However, competitive sports can be cruel. Adeyemi squandered several chances, while Füllkrug’s shot was cruelly denied by the post. Coupled with Courtois’ brilliant performance, Dortmund’s relentless attack, despite creating numerous opportunities, couldn’t convert their advantage into victory. As the saying goes, missed chances get punished. By the time Real Madrid recovered in the second half, Dortmund was drifting further away from the big ears.
Firstly, Kroos assisted Carvajal for a header goal, then Bellingham intercepted the ball in the midfield, setting up Vinicius Jr for a second goal. Real Madrid proved with cold hard facts that the final wasn’t about who had the prettier game, the better stats, but who scored more goals.
Why are the Galactic Warships the Kings of the Champions League? The numbers don’t lie. Since the 1985 UEFA Cup final, the Galactic Warships have had a 100% win rate in European finals. Since defeating Juventus in 1998, Real Madrid has won nine consecutive Champions League finals, with Valencia, Leverkusen, Juventus, Liverpool, and Dortmund becoming mere footnotes in their history. In the last ten years, Real Madrid has claimed six Champions League titles, eliminating reigning champions on multiple occasions.
There’s always a flip side to every coin. As Kroos enjoyed a perfect ending with the Champions League trophy, Reus and Hummels could only bow their heads in silence. They aren’t the only stars who’ve experienced the ruthlessness of Real Madrid.
In the 2016/17 season, both Alonso and Lahm were set to retire at the end of the season. Real Madrid, however, eliminated Bayern in the quarter-finals. In the final, they faced Juventus, a team with the best defense in Europe, conceding only 2 goals. The Galactic Warships demolished them 4-1, leaving Buffon to miss out on the Champions League trophy for the third time.
Now, Reus and Hummels have been shattered by the Galactic Warships, their Champions League dreams crushed. Over ten years, Real Madrid has left five star players with a bitter taste in their mouths.
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