Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that Real Madrid were 'made to suffer' in the Club World Cup final, but is delighted to have rounded off a "dream year" with more silverware.
Los Blancos triumphed in the end-of-year competition for a second time, matching their feat of 2014 by overcoming Kashima Antlers 4-2 in a thrilling final in Yokohama.
Ronaldo's penalty helped Madrid recover from a goal down at the International Stadium, before adding two more to his tally from open play in extra time to celebrate his recent Ballon d'Or success in style.
"We suffered a lot, but to win you have to suffer, and we ended the year in the best way," Ronaldo, who also played a key part in Portugal's run to their first Euro 2016 crown, told TVE.
"It's a week of great joy, with the Ballon d'Or and this World Cup, a dream year. I want to thank my teammates, because without them Cristiano could not win the individual trophy he won.
"It was an unforgettable year at a collective level and an individual level, we won the Champions League, [UEFA] Super Cup, European Championship [with Portugal] and now the World Cup, and a few days ago the Ballon d'Or. Choosing one is difficult, but the European Championship had a little more of a special taste to it because it was the first time."
Victory in the Club World Cup final also rounds off a week of milestones for Ronaldo, who scored his 500th club career goal in the semi-final before bagging hat-trick number 40 for Madrid in the final.
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