In the end it's always Bale Real Madrid Lisbon, Milan, Kiev...

A great player that grows and unleashes his full potential in big games, that's Gareth Bale.

In Kiev, he re-emerged as the phoenix after entering the pitch in the 61st minute.

Despite a complicated season in which his departure from Real Madrid seemed certain, the Welshman gritted his teeth in the final stretch of competition to the point where he left Zinedine Zidane with a real dilemma.

Although he was a substitute, he deserved to be a starter in the Champions League final after failing to be decisive in Cardiff.

In his own country, he played just eight minutes, a thorny issue that will stick with him forever.

On that occasion he was laid low in the lead up to the big one, but this time, Bale was more than ready.

After his match-winning cameo, however, he wouldn't guarantee that his future remains in Madrid.

"I need to play every weekend, something that hasn't happened," he said to reporters.

"Obviously I have to sit down with my agent this summer and talk."

It is Bale's fourth Champions League win, and the third in which he was decisive in the final.

In 2014 in Lisbon, he made it 2-1 in extra time when penalties were dangerously close.

And in Milan 2016, also against Atletico Madrid, he was by far the best Real player.

In Kiev, when the team most needed him, he illuminated the way to the 13th.

Three minutes after replacing Isco, he connected with Marcelo's cross to score one of the greatest goals ever in a Champions League final.

It was at the very least on par with Zidane's in Glasgow.

In the 83rd minute, fortune smiled on the Welshman, his shot from way out catching Loris Karius by surprise, and Bale then went looking for the hat-trick.

He was selfish in one instance, and Cristiano Ronaldo's displeasure was obvious.

But the Portuguese can't reproach him for anything.

It was Gareth's night.