A second half strike from Rodrigo was enough to get the better of Inter by a single goal in Istanbul, securing our first-ever title in Europe’s elite competition.
In doing so, Guardiola became the first manager in men’s football history to claim more than one European treble.
It was just rewards for the Catalan, who had guided City to a second final in three seasons, with a semi-final appearance sandwiched in between.
For the boss, the element of fortune needed to claim the Champions League fell on our side at the Ataturk Stadium.
“Sometimes it looks like this competition this year, this final was written in the stars,” he reflected after the final whistle.
“The goal, the chances they had. Ederson’s save where in extra-time you could lose the game.
“I will be the same person and we will be the same team and we will be the same Club. Today was our year, but in the past to do it of course we are incredibly satisfied to achieve something unique, the Treble for this club.
“The feeling I have right now is we leave the Champions League and give credit to the five Premier Leagues. In seven years, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups, Community Shields.
“That gives credit to what we have done. We have to win Europe to be considered one of the really good teams and we win it.
“Suffering, you could expect it because Inter is an exceptional team. Physicality that battles to win.
“Sometimes you need this type of luck that in the past, against Tottenham and in other games, the final against Chelsea, we didn’t have it. Today we had it.”
City’s first Champions League title is a significant milestone in the Club’s illustrious history.
For the boss, getting over that hurdle was a huge achievement, and one he takes immense pride in.
However, he has called for his players to build on that success moving forward, and ensure we continue to challenge for the top prizes.
He said: “Now we have the first and the people can say ‘Manchester City have already the first Champions League’. But I don’t want after one Champions League to disappear.
“So, we have to work harder in the next few years, next season and be there.
“There are teams who win the Champions League after one or two seasons and disappear. We have to avoid it.
“Knowing where we’ve been this is not going to happen. But in the same time I have to admit it is a big relief for the Club, and for everyone we have this trophy.”
OPEN-TOP BUS PARADE
We will be celebrating our treble with an open-top bus parade through Manchester city centre on Monday.
We can’t wait to see you all there! Further details will follow tomorrow.
