The fact that Manchester City's owner Sheikh Mansour, whose bottomless pit of cash has turned the unfancied English side into one of the most dominant forces in the football world, chose to attend his team's Champions League final showdown with Inter Milan spoke volumes about the significance of the blockbuster clash. 

It was only the second game he has attended since taking control of City in 2008. After winning the Premier League and FA Cup, his star-studded club were only one step away from replicating Manchester United's triple trophy haul in 1999. 

When the dust settled, Sheikh Mansour's long quest to win Europe's biggest team prize for the first time in City's history finally ended with a 1-0 win over Inter at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium. Rodri scored the golden winner and drove City to become only the second English club to win the Treble.

The crowning glory 

City were made to work for their narrow win as Inter substitute Romelu Lukaku blew several golden chances to equalize. The Italian giants pushed the English champions all the way, but ultimately failed to make the vital breakthrough. 

For City boss Guardiola, it was the culmination of a dream for another Champions League title that has taken 12 years. The Spanish tactician has eventually added a third to the two he won at Barcelona and is now the first manager to win the European Treble on multiple occasions after initially doing so in the 2008-09 season. He also joins Carlo Ancelotti (four), Zinedine Zidane and Bob Paisley as the only managers with three European Cup titles. 

In Europe, City are the 10th different team to win the Treble, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich the only two clubs having done so twice.

"It was written in the stars that we'd win this season – and we did. I'm feeling tired, calm and satisfied," Guardiola told reporters after claiming his 12th major trophy at City. "This trophy is so difficult to win. We knew it would be hard. They are really good. We were anxious in the first half but it was a question of being patient. I told them to be patient. 

"You have to be lucky, with Ederson at the end, and this competition is a toss of a coin. The momentum came from winning the Premier League and FA Cup and now we have this. It was not our best performance. I have no energy to think of next season and we need a break. We will start from zero and it's our job. Winning the treble is so difficult. 

"Now is time to celebrate. There are teams who win the Champions League and disappear. We have to avoid it. Knowing me it is not going to happen but it is a big relief to have this trophy. Now we don't get asked about it. 

"Especially this season, the entire world says if we don't win the Champions League we will not be complete and I agree, I have to accept it, that maybe it is me that is wrong … People may say I have to win trebles every season. I am good manager, Pep, but not that good."

Rodri the man for the big occasion 

City's all-conquering season will be remembered for the Treble, but Rodri has been one of their most reliable players throughout. He doesn't score many, but his first Champions League goal was a crucial one, coming against German powerhouse Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, and his second one was even more sensational.  

As City players began to show frustration after the hour mark, the loose ball rolled into the path of Rodri, who arrived in time to fire a precise shot away from the reach of Inter's goalkeeper Andre Onana. 

"I wasn't good in the first half and I was playing shit to be honest," Rodri, who was awarded Player of the Match, said afterwards. "But I just said to myself: 'You have to calm the situation.' And I scored a goal. Unbelievable. 

"Finals are like this. You expect to play well like always. The emotions are there, the nerves are there, but we compete until the end. Some of these guys are 20, 21, 22, some of them play their first final. It's normal, but we compete like animals. It wasn't easy. What a team we faced, unbelievable they way they defend, the way they counterattack." 

It represented cold comfort as Italian clubs lost all three European finals this season, with Inter in the Champions League, Roma in the Europa League and Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League all coming up short at the last hurdle. 

"We lost a final that we wanted to win at all costs, but the players must be proud," observed Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi. "I wouldn't trade these players for anyone and today the whole world saw why. We conceded little against a very strong team. We have many regrets, but we must be proud."

The hidden shadow  

For City and Sheikh Mansour, however, this is not a story of triumph without its caveats. They have still been charged with more than 100 breaches of financial rules following a four-year investigation by the Premier League.  

City insisted the allegations were "entirely false" and the alleged evidence came from "illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails." The case might drag on and cast a cloud over the club's incredible glory.  

But at least for now, City fans can enjoy their team's greatest achievement in an already sensational season. No matter what happens in the future, no one can take that celebration away from them.