PABLO DORADO MARTINEZ / AIPS* in MADRID: Sergio Ramos soared over the defenders like a plane high above the clouds to score the decisive goal which won the last trophy of the year for Real Madrid, the only one missing from his cabinet, the FIFA Club World Cup.
Thus he repeated his feat from the UEFA Champions League final when another perfect header from the Spain defender inspired Madrid to conquer their 10th European Cup and complete a ‘dreamful’ season. In addition Carlo Ancelotti’s team won the Spanish Cup against Barcelona and the European Supercup against Sevilla.
That all added up to four titles to complete the best year in the history of the club. The Club World Cup was the 80th trophy in their history.
Only neighbours Atletico could compete with any success at all against the white machine in the Spanish league and the Spanish Supercup.
Ancelotti, first manager to win four titles in a single season with Madrid, said: “It’s unforgettable. We have to continue in this way, the season is not finished yet and we are going to work for another perfect year as 2014. I am really happy.”
Record in sight
His machine appears to know no limits. This win in Morocco was also Madrid’s 22nd in a row in all competitions, leaving them just two wins short of the oficial record holders, Coritiba (24 wins).
As Ramos said: “We are making history. I feel proud with these four titles and I expect that the straight win continue the next year.”
But if any one player shone above the rest it has been Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese scored 60 goals in 61 matches in 2014 and, this season alone, has tallied 30 goals in 20 matches, more than one per match.
His astonishing ambition and competitiveness help him improve every year. He is not only the ‘team leader’ but on a par with Leo Messi as the best player in the world.
So 2014 has been a perfect year for Real Madrid but football does not stop there. On January 4 Ancelotti’s team visit Mestalla to face Valencia then, just three days later, face Atlético in the Spanish Cup.
If 2014 was a perfect year what may 2015 offer?
** AIPS is the international sports journalists’ association with 10,000 members worldwide. More information: www.AIPSmedia.com
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