Sergio Ramos pinpoints how ‘unique’ Zinedine Zidane inspired Real Madrid’s La Liga glory

Los Blancos clinched their 34th title with victory over Villarreal on Thursday

Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos has hailed manager Zinedine Zidane as “unique” after guiding Los Blancos to their 34th La Liga title.

A first league triumph in three years, Real secured the trophy after a 2-1 win over Villarreal at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Thursday, with a game left in the campaign.

Former champions and arch-rivals Barcelona slipped to a shock 2-1 defeat against Osasuna at the Nou Camp.

And Ramos lifted the trophy without fans in their temporary empty stadium, but credited the Frenchman for inspiring what appeared to be an unlikely title at one point before Los Blancos rattled off a 10-game win streak post-lockdown.

He told LaLiga TV: “Zidane has been key. He’s the captain of the ship and he led us right from the start of the season. He put a lot of faith in all of us players and we have always felt protected with Zizu.

Zidane celebrates winning La Liga (AFP)

“He believed in us, we’ve all believed in the work we have done and let’s hope that it’s valued properly. He’s a unique coach.

“It’s been a strange season, but our objective was very clear once the league restarted: we wanted to win every game. There were no doubts in our minds and we have shown that on the pitch.

“It’s difficult to win every game – you can’t win these matches easily, every rival is difficult – but this is the reward for all our hard work and I’m very happy with my fifth title.”

Karim Benzema’s double, which took his tally for the season to 21, ultimately clinched victory, but a late header from Vicente Iborra sparked a late flurry during which goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to make an important save.

The Belgium international too reserved special praise for his manager.

He said: “Zidane has been very important. He made the plan that we followed. We all trusted in him, he’s trusted in us. We had a very clear objective at the start of the season and we’ve achieved it.”

The man himself was thrilled with the club’s title success and admitted achieving the target he set himself when he returned to the Bernabeu in March last year was even better than winning the Champions League.

Zidane said: “The Champions League is the Champions League, but the Spanish league requires such an amount of effort, 38 games, and if at the end of those 38 games you have got more points than anyone else, then it’s fantastic.

Ramos celebrates with Zidane (AFP)

“Today is one of the best days for me as a professional and after everything that’s happened, the three-month break, it’s fantastic what’s been achieved.

“I had my role to play. I believe in the players and I’m just happy for them because they’re a group of humans before footballers. They’re good people.

“I’m just happy, I’m just very content.”

PA contributed to this report