Cristiano Ronaldo lifted Portugal to win final with ‘unbelievable’ halftime speech

“It was tough because we lost our main man and we had all our hopes pinned on him because he’s a player who can score a goal at any minute”, Portugal defender Pepe said.

“Maybe later I can feel proud, but for now, it’s about the group”, Griezmann said in a postgame press conference, according to Sky Sports.

Thousands of fans greeted Euro 2016 champions Portugal as they landed in Lisbon on Monday, chanting the name of goal hero Eder, whose extra-time screamer sealed the 1-0 victory over France.

Even France forward Antoine Griezmann, the tournament’s leading scorer, couldn’t rise to the big occasion.

But it was Portugal skipper Ronaldo who hobbled up the steps to lift the trophy beneath a shower of silver tickertape.

But he described France’s luck as “cruel” and added “one can always argue about the way they play, but they are efficient and you must congratulate them”.

Fernando Santos knew of my qualities.

Victory was especially sweet for Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo, despite his early exit.

In winning a major tournament he surpasses Portugal greats Eusebio and Luis Figo.

Winning Euro 2016 will also increase his likelihood of recapturing the Ballon d’Or, the title of world’s best male footballer, which he gave up to Lionel Messi, his rival at Barcelona, in 2015, having won it the previous two years.

The stretcher came on and in the 25th minute Ronaldo became a spectator. “He gave us a lot of confidence and said, ‘listen people, I’m sure we will win, so stay together and fight for it'”.

RONALDO APPLAUDED The sultry night began with a swarm of moths flitting around the French national stadium and littering the playing surface.

Portugal’s dreams of lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy looked to have taken a shattering blow when Ronaldo, their captain and talisman, fell to the ground in agony in the eighth minute following a clattering challenge from Dimitri Payet.

Ronaldo went down in agony – writhing, grimacing and screaming. But thanks to Patricio’s array of saves and dogged defending, Ronaldo left a champion. The Bayern Munich winger crossed for Griezmann to head over and released Olivier Giroud for a shot that Rui Patricio parried.