Euro 2016: Portugal Crowned Champions

Portugal has been crowned the champions of the 2016 European Championships on a final that was definitely out of the ordinary!

Portugal weren’t the favourites to win the trophy in the final against host nation France, but a very unexpected – and very impressive – goal by substitute Portuguese player, Eder, in the last few minutes of the game, secured the win for the nation.

However, while things worked out in the end for Portugal, the first few minutes of the game painted a different picture, as many believed they would fold after captain and superstar player, Cristiano Ronaldo got sent off because of an injury in the first half.

Ronaldo, who has undoubtedly been the fibre that kept the Portuguese team together, was extremely emotional when he had to leave the field due to an injury in the first half. Throughout the tournament, Ronaldo was very vocal about it being a dream of his to win a European Championship with his country.

Thus, when he was injured and had to be sent off, everyone thought that all was lost for Portugal.

However, Ronaldo was still a huge part of the team as he continued to encourage his team to not give up throughout the game. He was remained on the side of the field along with coach Fernando Santos throughout the entire game, edging his team members on.

Santos and the rest of the team later paid tribute to Ronaldo, saying that his encouragement helped them to secure the win.

Eder, who scored the winning goal in the 109th minute, said that it was Ronaldo who inspired him and actually told him that he would score the winning goal:

“…He told me I was going to score the winning goal…He gave me strength and positive energy,” Eder said.

Coach Santos also said that Ronaldo played a huge part, but that the team knew that they would win as a team and not just rest on Ronaldo’s laurels:

“…Cristiano is fundamental to us…It would be utopian to not use Ronaldo and all his added value…Cristiano could score at any moment and sort everything out on his own but I always said we are a team – we win as a team,” he said.

As for Ronaldo himself, he was just happy to have won – even if it was not the way he wanted:

“…It was not the final I wanted but I am very happy. It is a trophy for all Portuguese, for all immigrants, all the people who believed in us so I am very happy and very proud,” Ronaldo said.

The Portuguese team will now return to a hero’s welcome in Lisbon after a well-deserved win.