Despite being an unused substitute against Rayo Vallecano in the final, the midfielder has been an integral part of the 17-game European campaign, playing 11 times in the lead-up to silverware in Leipzig this week.
“It's hard to put into words to be honest. Two years ago, when Oli came in, we were fighting relegation at certain moments, and then fast-forward two years to see where we're at now – three trophies in two years – is pretty remarkable,” said Hughes to the News Shopper after the match.
“It's still pretty raw, to be honest. It's not sunk in yet. The consequences of winning this means Europa League next year and the excitement [with that], but the group that we've got is pretty incredible.
“You look at where we were in January when things were really tough, not only for the players, but for the club; we had a lot of injuries, we had a small squad, we were struggling,” he added.
“It's our 60th game of the season [and we’ve had] plenty of highs and lows throughout the season. To see where we are now – we've all pulled together as a group and as a club, and it's remarkable where we've come. To finish it like we have is…I'm pretty lost for words, to be honest. Saying you've got a European trophy, well, it's incredible.”
The 31-year-old is one of the senior members of the Palace squad, a trusted leader for Oliver Glanser on the pitch.
But with the Austrian now departing South London for a new challenge, Hughes is now awaiting who will replace the history-making coach, but is happy to help anyone who comes in.
“I’d like to think so, but we all know how quickly football moves now – there's new managers at clubs every six months, a year, two years. If you've been at somewhere two, three years, it's quite a long time nowadays,” he said about using his experience to help any new manager transition into the role.
“But we're all professional, we'll all deal with it in the right way, but that's something to look forward to in the future. For now, we've got to be grateful for what we've achieved as a group, as a club, and enjoy it.”
And that enjoyment will be led in part by Hughes, captain Dean Henderson interrupting his interview to say the midfielder would be in charge of celebration planning.
However, that is maybe a decade too late, according to the former Watford player.
“10 years ago would have been pretty crazy, but now; two kids, loved up, it's pretty sensible,” joked Hughes about leading any party planning. “But you have to enjoy these moments, not only in football, not only in sport, but in life. When these things happen, you have to enjoy it and that's what we'll do.”
Hughes then turned his thoughts to the departing Glasner.
“We had a meeting at the training ground day on Monday with a few words from the players and people at the club; a video message that said what they thought of him, the appreciation we have for him and for what he's done - he's been a big part of our success,” explained Hughes.
“He's given us the belief to achieve what we've achieved, really. There's many of us – I'm assuming fans as well, people at the club, players – that didn't think it was possible to do what we've done, and he ultimately gave us belief to go and do that.
“All we can say is: ‘thank you’.”