Ronaldo was forced to leave the pitch with a knee njury during the first half of the Euro2016 final against France but re-emerged from the dressing room with a heavily strapped leg to support his teammates from the sidelines. Who knows how different the game would have been if Ronaldo had not have left the field injured.
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Griezmann’s six-goal tally was twice as many as any other player managed in the tournament, with two of those coming in the semi-final victory over Germany.
“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.
He nearly single-handedly took Portugal to the last World Cup with a hat-trick in a playoff match against Sweden and Santos has repeatedly praised his team spirit and motivational qualities.
“It was a very tough moment”, Soares said. “I remember, for me and the team, everybody was a little bit in shock I think”.
Portugal player’s musical contribution to the celebrations didn’t end there as former Manchester United man Nani later demonstrated his beatbox talents. “He gave me strength and positive energy”.
Portugal’s Renato Sanches was named the Young Player of the Tournament.
A statement by UEFA said: “The technical observers made their decision by pinpointing the player who shone brightest individually and as part of his team, and whose overall contribution had a major impact on his side’s performances”. He tried but failed to play through it and was carried off after 25 minutes, in physical and spiritual agony in a blow that seemed to threaten Portugal’s chance at the title.
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Portugal had enough warriors on the field to win the war of attrition after losing their general.
