“We deserved it, PSG were the only team who wanted to play” - reaction from Neves, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and Ramos as PSG defeat Arsenal to retain Champions League | OneFootball

Mendes, Neves, Vitinha and Ramos rule Europe [Getty Images]

Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Arsenal [4-3 on pens] 

French champions Paris Saint-Germain are celebrating winning back-to-back Champions League trophies, after beating Arsenal on penalties in the final in Bucharest.

Portuguese quartet Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves and Gonçalo Ramos are once again celebrating being part of PSG’s triumph, having each won medals during last year’s 5-0 thrashing of Internazionale. Vitinha was named Man of the Match for the final in the Hungarian capital.

Arsenal, who came into the match on a major high after becoming English champions for the first time in 22 years, stunned the holders by taking an early lead through Kai Havertz in the 5th minute. PSG dominated possession for the remainder of normal time, getting their equaliser from the penalty spot through Ousmane Dembélé in the 65th minute.

Penalties would prove the theme of the deciding stages as extra time produced no further goals and the contest was settled from 12 yards. It was fitting that striker Ramos, who did not start the match and is often the member of the Portuguese contingent who most often misses out on playing time, stepped up to brilliantly convert the first kick of the penalty contest.

There were swings in momentum during the shootout, most notably when Nuno Mendes saw his penalty saved to cancel out Eberechi Eze’s failed kick for Arsenal. However, Arsenal missed their final take via defender Gabriel to ensure PSG keep the trophy in Paris.

João Neves: 

"The emotion is there. It's the second time that I've been the champion of Europe. It's not even the victory that makes me happy, but playing with such teammates, staff, and management does. Coming here was the best choice I made in my life. I love everything here. We deserved it today, because PSG was the only one who wanted to play.

“I think we deserved this title. I saw only one team on the pitch to be honest. We created chances, we had the ball most of the time. I think we played better and I think we deserved.

"This year, it was different. It was more difficult, more physical. We were European champions, so we defended our title. We are in the history of PSG.

“We need to go for the third one. We need to defend our title.”

Nuno Mendes: 

“We're going to rest, celebrate with everyone. But right now, I want to focus on preparing well for the World Cup first, and then we'll think about what comes next. We need to take things slowly, gradually. Not many teams have managed to win back-to-back titles, so we're very proud of ourselves. We've already made history."

Gonçalo Ramos: 

“It’s a dream come true. This time it was very difficult. It was not a game for people with heart problems. We have a lot of personality and we showed that we are ready for everything.

“Taking the first penalty? I love these types of moments. I’m a striker and I’m always ready to take the penalty. Whether it’s the first one, the last one, the last minute.. I want to take penalties and I want to be there in the big moments.

“Everybody believes in each other. Every player can help and we are very confident in every player.”

Vitinha: 

“It was a crazy season, lots of highs and lows. When we started the season, we hadn’t had a lot of downtime. We didn’t have a lot of time to rest, we didn’t have much time to prepare either. We were going from zero to on hundred straight away.

“We knew that there were going to be issues, niggles, injuries. But we were ready. It’s not easy to overcome these difficulties. We pulled it out the bag. Match after match, we were always present, we were always there.

“Finishing off the season like this is the ultimate dream. The back-to-back, it’s great. I’m so proud, everyone is proud. Paris is proud, Parisians are proud. Our families are proud. This is well deserved from the get-go, we’re so happy, all of us.

“My Man of the Match and season? It’s important to talk about the team, everyone, all of the players. There are players who have not got as much playing time as I have, but what they do is incredible. Especially the ones sitting on the bench, it’s not easy to come on with little time under your belt.

“There are only 11 men on the pitch, but there are always going to be ones who are playing less, and they always turn up smiling. They are always raring to go to help the team. That is what makes the difference. And once again today, they came on and they did great, right up to penalties. We are an incredible group.

This is our second consecutive Champions League win. And it’s so cool to be able to say that.”