Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham have both acknowledged that winning the Europa Conference League with Roma is one of the best moments of their career.
The inaugural season of the competition has often been ridiculed, but the carrot of a European trophy and qualification for next year's Europa League ensured that the latter stages of the tournament were taken seriously.
Roma were crowned the first winners on Wednesday night, a first-half goal from Nicolo Zaniolo proving to be the difference against Feyenoord in Tirana.
Speaking after the triumph, English duo Smalling and Abraham, formerly of Manchester United and Chelsea respectively, both talked up the magnitude of the success.
Smalling, the man of the match, told BT Sport: "We knew how much it was going to mean for everyone at Roma. Everyone fought until the end. We dropped a bit deeper than we wanted to and everyone was fighting.
"Even when I first came to the club it was a long time since Roma had won a trophy. We knew how much it was going to mean to win something."
Abraham added: "One thing I said when I came was I was going to help my team get to the final and win a trophy in my first season. Credit to my teammates for excellent performances; good goal by Nico, Chris, all our team. We deserved it we have worked hard all year.
"I love them [the Roma fans}. From day one it has been the best. We are champions, I am happy to be part of the team. Now it is time to party and celebrate."
Jose Mourinho also won his fifth European trophy, becoming the first manager to win a continental crown with four different clubs. body check tags ::
