The football-mad Spanish capital of 3.2 million people had been dominated by the two clubs crests and colours in a frenzied build-up to the final, which attracted a worldwide audience of 180 million people in more than 200 countries.
Praise poured in for Real Madrid, including from Spain’s acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
“Epic final in the League of Champions,” he tweeted. “Congratulations to all… for the 11th.”
However, there were mixed emotions for fans in the city as Atletico – who have never won the Champions League – lost in the final for a third time.
“I am delighted. Two Champions League titles in three years, it is incredible,” said Monica Gonzalez, a 25-year-old Real fan.
“They (Atletico) deserved it. They almost played better. I am happy my team won, but it could have been any of the two teams.”
However, Gonzalez’s boyfriend Jaime de Francisco, an Atletico fan, couldn’t hide his disappointment as once again the red and white half of Madrid was forced to life in Real’s shadow.
Just 500 metres (yards) away from wild scenes of celebration at Cibeles, the Neptuno fountain – where Atletico fans go to celebrate their triumphs – was empty.
Spanish daily sports newspaper Marca captured the mood, describing Real as “the king of Europe”, adding that manager Zinedine Zidane had been “touched by a magic wand”.
“He was born to play for Real Madrid… and to lead them,” wrote the paper.
“A supreme derby, exhausting, stifling,” wrote the AS sports newspaper.
Spain’s bestselling El Pais newspaper described the final as “unforgettable and gruelling”, with an editorial arguing that Atletico have nothing to regret, saying that they were “far superior at the start, (and) must be gritting their teeth”.
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