Pepe fully fit and eager to play for Portugal

And most poignant, given Sunday’s opponents, is the fact that the only person killed at the Stade de France, 63-year-old chauffeur Manuel Dias, was a fan of both teams contesting the final.

“I tried to calm the players, it was the first time an assistant referee had given a penalty”, the Portugal coach that night, Humberto Coelho, told L’Equipe of the mood in the dressing room after the game.

The 31-year-old Real Madrid star, who is Portugal’s all-time record appearance maker and goalscorer, could be presented with flawless moment with which to bid farewell if he hoists the Henri Delaunay Cup at the Stade de France.

“I’ve been at my club, a very demanding club, for 10 years and I’ve been playing for Portugal since 2008”, he said.

At just 29, Messi has given up the ghost on that elusive hunt for a major worldwide title, having suffered another disappointment following Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.

Fellow French striker Olivier Giroud is now calling the calm Griezmann “our little Monsieur Plus” and the soccer media has favourably compared him to legend Michel Platini. “It’s lovely to see but we still have one final step to take and to finish the competition in the best possible fashion”.

After the European Championship finals, Loew celebrates a decade in charge and under his stewardship they have reached at least the semi-finals of the past six major tournaments.

“We had to make a big effort to get closer to people, to go back to basics”. But it is one France have travelled. We have to beware of the whole French team and we also have to hope that Ronaldo is at his very best because we all know what he can do.

“I think this referee may be among the best two or three referees in the world”, Pepe said. We have done a great deal of work to be here six years later in the final and we want to put a smile on the faces of the French people and show a new image. We can’t erase what went on in the past but we want to look forward.

“The most important thing is to always want more”, he said.

In one sense, France have already achieved something emotionally significant at these finals.

Ronaldo will be more than happy for the stubborn Portuguese to do exactly the same to the flair-filled French some 12 years on. That’s what they bring to the team.

“Playing in the final in your home country, where you are born, is exceptional”, says Sagna.

Portugal appears to be finally performing up to par after a lethargic start to the tournament, which saw the team winning just one match inside 90 minutes of regulation time. Two noble aims for this proud nation, assaulted so violently in November but preparing to party in the streets now.