Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has said that winning the Champions League would be worth more than the two titles Barcelona have just won. The 31-year-old has been troubled by a thigh strain through recent weeks and missed the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Manchester City, but on Wednesday assured his fans that he will be "at 100 percent" for Saturday's final against Atletico Madrid.
Ronaldo, speaking on Jugones LaSexta in the second part of an interview taped on Tuesday, said: "If we win the Champions [League] it is worth much more than Barca's Double. The Champions is a dream. There are elite players who have never won Champions League. I am speaking from my heart, I would not trade places ever."
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in the third Champions League final between Spanish clubs and the second between teams from the same city. The only previous final between two teams from the same city pitted these two teams against each other just two years ago.
Barcelona bowed out of Champions League contention in the quarterfinal to Atletico Madrid but went on to win both La Liga and Copa del Rey titles. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid finished second and third in La Liga with 90 and 88 points, respectively.
About the rivalry with Barcelona's Gerard Pique, Ronaldo said: "Even when they celebrate, the others are reminded of Cristiano. That rocks. So for good or bad, they are remembering me. That is great to know that I am always on their minds. But I have no problems with Pique, of course not."
Pique played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, winning a Premier League and Champions League double in the 2007-08 season. Ronaldo also said that while he was disappointed not to win the European Golden Shoe award, he felt that Luis Suarez was deserving.
The Barcelona striker scored a remarkable 40 league goals for the La Liga champions -- five more than rival Ronaldo, who won the prize last season. "That is part of it, of course I am frustrated but I wasn't obsessed," he said. "I let things flow this year. Suarez played very well. He scored eight goals in two games. He had an excellent season and he deserved it."
Ronaldo insisted that his son could never play for Barcelona. "It would be impossible, he has his father's genes. But if it had to happen, I would accept it," he said. "I wouldn't drive him to Camp Nou, but I wouldn't object. He is my son."
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