Real Madrid star Pepe 'cried on the pitch for first time' during Champions League victory

• Pepe has struggled to explain why he was reduced to tears last weekend
• Real Madrid defeated arch rivals Atletico in the Champions League final 
• The 33-year-old defender admits it was the first time he cried on the pitch 

Real Madrid defender Pepe has struggled to explain why he was reduced to tears during his side's Champions League triumph over arch rivals Atletico.

Zinedine Zidane's men claimed their second European Cup in three seasons, the 11th in the club's history, by overcoming their neighbours in last weekend's final in Milan.

With the match finishing 1-1 after extra time, Cristiano Ronaldo proved to be the hero from the penalty spot - with Pepe struggling to control his emotions.

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Real Madrid defender Pepe was reduced to tears during Spanish club's Champions League triumph in Milan

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The centre back admits it was the first time he cried on the pitch after Real defeated arch rivals Atletico Madrid

And the defender admits it was the first time he cried on the pitch - but he cannot explain why he was overcome with emotion.

'That's hard to explain,' he told Marca. 'I started crying when Lucas Vazquez calmly scored his kick with extreme confidence.

'I got emotional and I felt we were not going to lose

'It all started when Sergio [Ramos] told us we were going to use the goal in front of our fans for the shootout. I only cried when it was our turn to shoot.

'I can't understand it, even after talking to my wife and family and it's the first time I cried on a football pitch.

'I would have still kicked my own penalty if it was necessary because I'm always down to help. When we win, we all win.' 

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With the match finishing 1-1 after extra time, Cristiano Ronaldo proved to be the hero from the penalty spot

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The two Portugal stars celebrate with the Champions League trophy after winning the final last weekend