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Fil-Austrian David Alaba plays key role in Real Madrid's UEFA triumph

Sports

Fil-Austrian David Alaba plays key role in Real Madrid's UEFA triumph

By Jonas Terrado

David Alaba capped off his first season with Real Madrid with another UEFA Champions League trophy after playing a key role in the Spanish club’s 1-0 win over Liverpool Saturday in Paris, France.

Real Madrid's Austrian defender David Alaba celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on May 28, 2022. (AFP)

The Fil-Austrian was one of the defenders placed on the starting 11 by manager Carlo Ancelotti during the Champions League Final at the historic Stade de France that saw Real Madrid win a record-extending 14th title.

Alaba celebrated the victory by wearing the flags of the Philippines and Nigeria on his waist. The 29-year-old was born in Austria to a Nigerian father and a Filipina mother who hails from Visayas.

It was Alaba’s third European club championship, adding to his pair of victories with German Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich.

His first win came in 2013, defeating fellow German side Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in London, while the other came in 2020 at Estadio de Luz in Lisbon, Portugal after taking down Paris Saint-Germain.

Alaba joined Real Madrid during the summer transfer window last year and helped Los Blancos win the La Liga crown.

Real Madrid won on the lone goal by Vinicious Junior in the second half while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was named Man of the Match after making crucial saves, including a pair against Liverpool’s star striker Mohamed Salah.

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