Valdano Celebrates A Successful Centenary

Jorge Valdano has hailed 2002 as a great year for Real Madrid as the club's centenary celebrations draw to a close.

Madrid scooped the Champions League, the World Club Club and the European Super Cup as they marked their 100th birthday in style.

There were a couple of hiccups along the way as they watched Valencia snatch the Spanish League title and lost to Deportivo in the Copa del Rey final in the Bernabeu.

But Valdano was pleased at the way the last 12 months had progressed for the club.

"The year was a good summary of what Real Madrid has given the world of football in the past 100 years," he boasted.

"Real Madrid has earned respect wherever we go whether it be among clubs, agencies and national and international confederations."

"We obviously would have liked to have won the league championship, but you have to remember that this club should always be looking to win the Champins League and we achieved that."

"We have signed some great players and this year was the year when Zinedine Zidane proved why he is regarded as one of the best players in the world."

"His goal to win the Champions League in the club's centenary year embodied beauty and glory all in that one gesture."

"But I believe the best game of the year was our victory over Bayern Munich in the Bernabeu to qualify for the Champions League final."

"While the saddest day was, of course, the Copa del Rey final when the team lost to Depor. It was a day when the supporters of Real Madrid were ready to party and they couldn't."

"But now we must look forward. We have signed Ronaldo and he has boosted the quality of the team and the international image of Real Madrid."

"His arrival is equally important as that of the signing of Luis Figo or Zidane."