Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that only Real Madrid “have the ability” to win the Champions League every season.
Guardiola has now won the competition three times, twice with Barcelona and once with Manchester City, while Real Madrid has won it 14 times.
His victory with City marks the first time the Premier League champions have lifted the trophy.
Guardiola believes they will now receive the respect they deserve from critics.
“Winning five Premier Leagues is exceptional, but people have said no, you have to win trebles every season to be complete. I’m good, but I’m not good enough to win trebles every season. The Champions League is so tough. Real Madrid have the ability to do it year in, year out. People pretend the Premier League is nothing. Now we can get credit for the five Premier Leagues.
“To do what we have done in the last six seasons is unbelievable. It’s not just the Champions League – it’s many, many titles,” Guardiola said.