Ronaldo : Sunday will be the first time that Portugal will win a major trophy
©Getty Images
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo is confident that Portugal will win their first major trophy on Sunday, when they take on hosts France in the final of the European Championships. Ronaldo, on the losing side when Portugal hosted Greece in the 2004 final, did admit however that France were the favourites.
It has been 12 years since Greece broke thousands of Portuguese hearts, but Ronaldo would not be able to forget that night in a hurry. Already 31 years old, this might be his last shot at international glory. A confident Ronaldo speaking to UEFA.com stated “We have to believe positively. On Sunday it will be the first time that Portugal are going to win an important trophy."
It's something that I always dreamed of. It would be a huge achievement if I could win something with Portugal
He also spoke about playing in the finals of the European Championship for the second time, and the special place it held in his heart.
“It's unique, a feeling of joy, because being in a final is something I wanted to achieve again. Now I will have the fortune, if everything goes well, to be playing on Sunday in a second final for Portugal.
“It's something that I always dreamed of. It would be a huge achievement if I could win something with Portugal,” Uefa.com reported.
Also read - Portugal | The Hare-Tortoise tale and Ronaldo's lasting 'Legacy'
After tying with Platini as the joint highest scorer at the Euro finals with nine goals, Ronaldo understated he wasn’t obsessed with records. “These things happen naturally. I try not to be too obsessed with records. They happen. So it's nice but nothing more. I feel good, young, strong. So what I want most is to keep on being successful,” reported Uefa.com
The Real Madrid striker admitted that hosts France were indeed the favourites going into the final, but said that finals are always unpredictable.
“They (France) are, in my opinion, favourites because they are playing at home and that's a big advantage. In a final anything can happen. We know we will face a great opponent, a great national team, but it's a final and anything is possible. It's going to be a tough game for both of us,” Uefa.com reported.
Portugal have not really shone in the tournament so far, with their only win in normal time coming against Wales in the semi-final. France, on the other hand, come into the final with five wins, on an unbeaten six-match streak. They are the hosts and favourites, but so were Portugal in 2004. It leaves to be seen if Ronaldo can inspire his team to a similar fairytale as the Greeks 12 years back.
