The Brazilian international, a tireless runner, told Reuters in an interview that Wednesday night's victory at the Amsterdam Arena provided a blessed relief after he was forced out of the 2012 penalty shootout triumph over Bayern Munich through suspension.
"I have been compensated," Ramires said. "It's much better to be on the pitch where you know you can help your team mates and have an impact.
"When you watch from the sidelines you are just terribly nervous and anxious."
Ramires, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2010, said Wednesday's victory was tinged with sympathy for his former colleagues.
"I feel badly for them. We've played and beaten them twice since I've been at Chelsea and it's always tough," he said, referring to last year's Champions League quarter-final win over the Lisbon team.
"They played so well on Wednesday especially in the first half. They closed me down and it was difficult to find space."
Ramires's fellow Brazilian Oscar featured in his maiden European final on Wednesday but said he intended it to be the first of many.
"I'm thrilled to win my first European trophy," Oscar told Reuters. "Now I want to win lots more."
"We couldn't find our tempo in the first half but in the second half we woke up and found space and our passing improved," said the young Brazilian international.
