Cristiano Ronaldo says greater experience of the big occasion was key for Real Madrid as they claim Champions League  

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Cristiano Ronaldo claimed Real Madrid's greater experience of big matches proved decisive as they beat Atletico Madrid on penalties to win their 11th European Cup.

The Portuguese star converted the decisive penalty kick in a shootout after the Milan final had finished all-square at 1-1 after extra-time.

Ronaldo, who won the Champions League for the third time in his career, believed Real's composure in the shootout owed everything to feeling comfortable in pressure situations.

Cristiano Ronaldo kisses the European Cup after winning it for the third time in his career

The Portuguese celebrates after converting the decisive spot-kick in Real's win over Atletico Madrid  

Ronaldo reserved himself for the fifth penalty and after Juanfran had struck the foot of the post he made no mistake to give Real a 5-3 shootout win following a 1-1 draw after extra-time in Milan

Sergio Ramos lifts the trophy after Real Madrid came out on top against their city rivals Atletico Madrid

He told BT Sport: 'The penalties are always a lottery. You never know what's going to happen, but we showed that our team had more experience.

'We scored all the penalties, so it was unbelievable. It is a fantastic night.'

Real converted their first four penalties, courtesy of Lucas Vazquez, Marcelo, Gareth Bale before Atletico's Juanfran saw his come back off the post.

It was therefore left to Ronaldo to score the winning penalty, securing his second Champions League win in three seasons and third of his career.

Ronaldo revealed he asked coach Zinedine Zidane to take the fifth penalty kick following a 'vision'

Ronaldo looks to make early in-roads down the Real Madrid left as he takes on Atletico's Stefan Savic

Ronaldo won the trophy for the third time following his success with Man United in 2008 and Real in 2014

Ronaldo gives a clenched fist celebration to the thousands who turned out for Real's victory parade 

'I had a vision and saw I was going to score the winning goal, so I asked (Zinedine) Zidane to take the fifth penalty.

'It is a very special moment, and it is well deserved for the players and the fans, who've always been there for us.'

Zidane became only the seventh man to win the European Cup both as a player and a coach, and Ronaldo was happy for a coach who has only been in the job four months.

He said: 'Zidane has done a phenomenal job and he deserves it because he's a gentleman and is humble.'