Manchester City join European football’s royalty after crowning glory in Istanbul

ISTANBUL: In the presence of the UAE leadership, Manchester City joined footballing royalty as they became the kings of Europe.

Finally, they had their Champions League — the trophy craved by their Abu Dhabi owners, manager Pep Guardiola, players and fans.

A tense 1-0 win over Inter Milan in Istanbul confirmed their status as Europe’s elite club for the first time — and sealed a famous Treble, having already won the Premier League and FA Cup this season.

Watching in the stands at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium were Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and his brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy prime minister of the UAE, whose 2008 takeover transformed City.

It was August, 2010, when Sheikh Mansour was last seen at an official City game and Liverpool were beaten 3-0.

If ever there was a moment for him to attend again, this was it. It was the culmination of everything that he and City have strived for — and their fans have dreamed of for generations, when they were in the lower reaches of English football.

“My congratulations and gratitude to our loyal Manchester City fans, and everyone at the club, including management, technical staff and players,” said Sheikh Mansour on Twitter. “We will continue to define and celebrate our success together.”

For so long City have lived in the shadow of neighbors Manchester United, who were the only other English club to achieve the Treble back in 1999 and are three-time European Cup winners.

Now City stand above United, writing successful chapters season upon season and playing a style revered worldwide.

There will be those who say their glory is tainted due to Financial Fair Play charges and investigations from UEFA and the