Zidane: Madrid's title triumph 'happiest day' in my career

Claiming his first La Liga title as a manager, Zinedine Zidane - who won the World Cup with France and another 13 major honours as a player for Bordeaux, Juventus, and Real Madrid - said Sunday's celebration ranked highest on his extensive resume.

Madrid's 2-0 win over Malaga clinched Zidane's fourth trophy since his appointment in January 2016.

Related: Real Madrid captures La Liga crown on final day, ending Barcelona's reign

And the 44-year-old isn't done yet. If Madrid defeats Juventus in June's Champions League final, he would become the club's first taskmaster since 1958 to deliver a continental double.

"You know where you are, as Real Madrid coach, you know the expectations are very high. I like that, I lived it as a player, I won everything with this club, with this jersey, but to win La Liga as a coach is different, it is the maximum," Zidane said, according to ESPN FC.

"Being first after 38 games, for me it is the happiest day of my professional life, for sure."

Zidane experienced his share of highs as a footballer, giving Sunday's remarks special distinction. Producing an incredible volley to clinch the 2002 Champions League final for Los Blancos, the Frenchman led a career few can match.

Yet he hasn't received the same fanfare as contemporaries Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, or Antonio Conte. Despite winning more than 75 percent of his matches in charge of Madrid, the charismatic Zidane is still missing universal respect.

Related: It's time to give Zidane credit for Real Madrid's recent success

He showed his tactical nous this season after Gareth Bale fell to injury, his biggest success coming late in the campaign, when Zidane deployed Isco as a trequartista in a creative 4-3-1-2 formation.

It helped to have bursting full-backs like Marcelo and Dani Carvajal giving width to a traditionally narrow set-up, but Zidane's flexibility and re-imagination of Cristiano Ronaldo as a No. 9 kept his squad fresh.

Barcelona provided moderate opposition for the title, but Madrid didn't relinquish control, earning all 18 points from its last six league contests.