Savio Bortolini needed just one season at Real Madrid to experience one of the defining moments in the club’s modern history.

The former Brazilian winger spent five seasons in Madrid and lifted the Champions League three times, but his first European triumph remains particularly special.

Speaking to MARCA (h/t Mundo Deportivo ), Savio looked back on his time at the club, including the circumstances that took him from Flamengo to the Santiago Bernabeu and the celebrations that followed his first major success.

Savio explained that his first season at Real Madrid was difficult to forget because it ended with the club finally ending a long wait for European glory.

The Brazilian understood the significance of the Champions League before even experiencing it himself.

Real Madrid had gone 32 years without winning the competition, meaning the pressure surrounding the club was enormous.

A post shared by Savio Bortolini (@saviobortolini)

Looking back at his favourite memories, Savio said, “There were many [memorable moments]. I think a very, very special moment was right in my first season.