The current French coach wore the skipper’s armband when the hosts lifted the 1998 World Cup and the European title two years later in Rotterdam. He really hangs in the air – those chocolate squares (abdominal muscles) don’t count for nothing. France has looked best with those two paired there, but Portugal’s reluctance to attack throughout the tournament may deter Deschamps from thinking that way.
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What’s at stake: The Euro 2016 trophy, one of the most important honors in world soccer.
France acknowledge they will have to limit the Portuguese star as much as possible.
He also ruled out using the Champs-Elysees as a venue for honoring the French team on Monday if it wins the tournament, saying that the wide, tree-lined street has to be prepared for an annual military parade to mark the French national holiday of Bastille Day on July 14.
“Antoine is still a young player, even if he has had a very great season”. In 2004, trophyless Ronaldo was only 19 as Portugal went down to Greece at the Stadium of Light 12 years ago. His presence ensures that France can not take this one totally for granted, and they should also watch out for prodigious teenager Renato Sanches, who is playing without fear.
For a France preview, read Ian Hawkey, who writes: “They need to cultivate the spirit that Lloris insists has “been steering us to this final, stepping up in terms of maturity”.
Players should get bonuses totaling several millions from the prize money. They beat Albania 2-0 with another late Payet goal, and also the first for Antoine Griezmann. He scored twice in the second half, found the net again in the 5-2 quarterfinal defeat of Iceland and downed Germany nearly singlehandedly in Marseille on Thursday.
The wily Real Madrid defender, 33, missed Portugal’s 2-0 semifinal win over Wales on Wednesday due to a thigh injury, with Bruno Alves taking his place, and trained separately Friday.
After a summer of great football and over 50 games played in France for the first Euro at 24 teams, only two teams are left for the Final. Some of them played in the Champions League final.
Confidence in the French camp is high, with their win against Germany confirming their improvement in the knockout stages after a shaky start.
Guerreiro was born to Portuguese and French parents in the northeastern suburbs of Paris just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Stade de France.
“I judge my team by whether we play well or badly, not by whether we are pretty or ugly”, he said at one point during Euro 2016.
Winning the final would be a cathartic experience for a country still in a state of emergency following a wave of extremist attacks across Paris on November 13 that killed 130 people.
With his great rival Lionel Messi’s Argentina career up in the air – the Barcelona star announced his global retirement following a defeat on penalties by Chile in the Copa America final – Ronaldo has an extra incentive to win on Sunday.
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“Fortunately, we’ve been able to progress at Southampton to be a top-six or seven club in the Premier League, and that gave me the opportunity to be selected by the manager (Santos)”. A year later, after impressing in central defense at Euro 2004, Carvalho earned a move from Porto to Chelsea.
