From Jose Mourinho to Gareth Bale, a look at stars in attendance for the Champions League final
Real Madrid were once again at the peak of their powers on Saturday (June 1) after they clinched their 15th Champions League title at Wembley Stadium with a 2-0 win over. The victory has extended Real’s dominance at the continental stage as they stand tall amongst all European elites. Ahead of the match, there were several big names who attended the showpiece final in London as we take a look at some of the prominent names.
Jose Mourinho
The two-time Champions League winner was in attendance for the final at Wembley Stadium and received a cold reception from Borussia Dortmund fans when he was shown on screen. Mourinho unlike the previous two seasons was only a guest on the evening while he managed to participate in the UEFA Conference League and Europa League final in the previous two seasons. While is now verge of signing for Fenerbahçe in Turkey, it is interesting that he has not managed a Champions League match for over four years now.
Jurgen Klopp
The former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp did not miss out on the Champions League final and was in attendance at Wembley Stadium. Klopp was in support of Borussia Dortmund having taken the side into the final in 2013 at the same venue before they lost to Bayern Munich. Now away from football, he was seen in a relaxed mood. Interestingly, on Saturday he was also celebrating the fifth anniversary of his only Champions League title when Liverpool beat Spurs in the final in Madrid.
Sir Alex Ferguson
The legendary former Manchester United manager turned up at Wembley Stadium and was seen being greeted by everyone in the stadium. Like Klopp, Ferguson also had disappointing Wembley memories from the Champions League final when he lost to Pep Guardiola’s side in 2011. However, he was seen as more calmed and composed having spent 11 years away from the game. Ferguson also won the Champions League twice in his managerial career and is the only living personality to defeat Real Madrid in an end-of-the-season European Final. The feat was achieved in 1983 when his Aberdeen side beat Real in the Cup Winners Cup final.
Gareth Bale
The five-time winner of Real Madrid was in attendance for the Champions League final in London supporting his former side. Bale, now retired is considered Real’s top British signing and enjoyed his time at the Santiago Bernabeu from 2013 and 2022. On Saturday he watched another British talent, Jude Bellingham, lift the Champions League Trophy. The Wales star was also interacting with Jose Mourinho while on TV duties.
Arsene Wenger
The former Arsenal boss was also in attendance representing FIFA and was admired by the crowd at the Wembley Stadium. Wenger won multiple FA Cup titles at Wembley Stadium while his sorrowful memory was the League Cup defeat to Birmingham City in 2011. Although a prominent name in the Champions League, Wenger never managed to get his hands on the trophy and came closest in the 2005-06 season when he finished runners-up with Arsenal.
Also Read: Dortmund vs Real Madrid: UEFA Champions League Final Highlights as Los Blancos Create History