Gareth Bale celebrates scoring Real's second in Lisbon[GETTY]The Real midfielder became the first Welshman to score in a European Cup final with the goal that broke Atletico's hearts before Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo finished off their city rivals.
The world-record £85million signing paid back a huge chunk of that massive fee by helping to deliver the Spanish giants' 10th European Cup, 12 years on from their last triumph.
The boy from south Wales, unlike most of his illustrious colleagues who will be heading to Brazil in search of further glories, will have the summer off to reflect on this triumphant night.
However despite missing out on the chance to chase the biggest prize on the global stage, the Welsh wonder has had the perfect ending to a remarkable debut season.
"It's amazing. It's the reason I joined Real Madrid, to play in competitions like this and be able to win them," he said.
"For me, it is a dream come true. When you're a little boy you dream of lifting the Champions League, and to lift the 10th one for Real Madrid is special. It's one that will go down in history."
Yet it could have been so different for Bale, who initially failed to shine in Lisbon's Stadium of Light. The former Tottenham and Southampton man had three chances in normal time but proved wasteful as he fired off target.
Bale heads home the winner for Madrid [GETTY]All season Gareth has been good and he will be better next year
He was set to be the villain in his own fairytale as Diego Godin's first-half header put La Liga champions Atletico on course for a remarkable double.
But Sergio Ramos headed home in the third of five stoppage-time minutes from a Luka Modric curling corner to force extra-time.
Those 30 minutes gave Bale one last opportunity to be the hero and the midfielder grabbed it with both hands as he nodded in after Angel Di Maria's shot spun off the toe of Atletico keeper Thibaut Courtois.
He wandered to the team coach in the bowels of Benfica's home afterwards as if nothing had happened, still looking fresh for a man who had played 120 draining minutes in European club football's showpiece event.
Reluctant to speak and just wishing to get on the bus back to Madrid for the celebrations as quickly as possible, Bale admitted he thought the worst when those chances went astray.
"A few thoughts crept into my mind," he confessed. "We have been like that all season, when we have been down in the last minute and always been able to come up with a crucial goal and we showed it again.
"It happens [missing chances] and sometimes you don't get the rub of the green, but you have to keep persisting, keep going and you may get that chance that will make the difference. Thankfully I was able to get that chance and I was able to take it.
"We left it late, but it made it that extra bit more special. It was a difficult extra time, everybody was tired, but we showed our character again, and we were able to lift ourselves for the last 30 minutes. We got the momentum and got a few goals to win the trophy."
Nobody could question Bale's motivation to move to Madrid from Tottenham last summer. But often these big-money deals can lead to overwhelming pressure that stifles the brilliance of young players and it ends up being a step too far, too soon.
Not for 24-year-old Bale though as he etched his name in Real folklore inside 12 months with the goal that beat rivals Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey final before helping to deliver 'La Decima' on Saturday night.
Carlo Ancelotti also equalled former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley's record of three European Cup wins as a coach.
And he delivered a warning to world football, and possibly his own star man Ronaldo, that Bale is only going to get better.
The Italian said: "It was very important he scored because he had tried before, but he was unlucky in front of goal. He turned up when he was needed.
"All season Gareth has been good and he will be better next year."
Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who was involved in an ugly on-field spat with Real defender Raphael Varane before the final whistle, refused to remain bitter.
"This fixture doesn't deserve one tear, when you give your life, there's nothing to say," he said.
"It's part of the game. You can win, you can lose. We lost but know that we gave everything. That exalts us and gives us the ability to continue growing."
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