Real Madrid Fires First Warning To Liverpool Ahead Of Much Anticipated UCL Final.

With the much anticipated 2021/22 UEFA Champions League trophy on the line, goalkepper Thibaut Courtois has issued a warning to Liverpool, saying, "When Real Madrid plays a final, they always win it."

The Spanish Champions will face Liverpool in the final at the Stade de France on Saturday, hoping to win the trophy for a record-extending 14th time.

Real Madrid has won all seven finals since the European Cup was renamed the UEFA Champions League in 1992, including a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in 2018.

Courtois was on the losing end of another Real victory in 2014, when he was on loan from Chelsea and playing for Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos won 4-1 in extra time.

Courtois, who is now 30 years old, has the opportunity to win the Champions League with Real for the first time, and when asked what Liverpool would be thinking ahead of the match in France, the Belgian goalkeeper said: 

"They've already faced Madrid in a final in 2018. It was a unique experience for me. When Real Madrid plays in a final, they always win, and now I'm on the right side of history."

Real Madrid has come back from losing positions in each knockout round, trailing PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City only to stage rousing comebacks against all three teams, and head coach Carlo Ancelotti believes the club's previous glory has helped propel them to the final once more.

"We deserved to get to the final because of quality first: you won't get to the final if you don't have individual quality, but quality and talent aren't enough," the Italian said. 

"You have to put it together; the team's commitment is determined by the quality of everyone on the team, and we've had that.

"Then the club's history has pushed us through difficult times; we deserve to reach the final, but we have to earn it tomorrow; there's no other way."

Meanwhile, Marcelo has remained tight-lipped about reports that he could be offered a new contract to keep him at Real beyond the summer.

The 34-year-old arrived in Madrid in 2007 and quickly established himself as the club's most successful player, winning 24 trophies during his time there. However, he is out of contract at the end of the season, and when asked whether he would prefer a new contract or a statue outside the Santiago Bernabeu, the Brazilian replied; "I would prefer a new contract or a statue outside the Santiago Bernabeu." "My passion and love for Real Madrid, my life's club, is well-known. I began my career at Fluminense, where I was given everything, and now I am at Real Madrid, where I am given everything.

"I won't say anything right now; people can speculate, but I don't need a statue; my history is at Real Madrid, and I'll continue to give my all for the club. I don't think a statue would be appropriate, but we'll see after the final."