EUROS IS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST
Ronaldo says that of all the trophies he has won, Portugal’s 2016 triumph was the most important
CRISTIANO RONALDO says his ageing legs will never tire of trying to drive Portugal to glory.
The 36-year-old superstar leads the defending champions out for their opening ‘Group of Death’ clash with Hungary in Budapest tonight.
Victory could well be crucial with France and Germany also lying in wait in the formidable Group F but Ronaldo says he has every faith in his team.
The Juventus ace (right, during training yesterday with Pepe) has nothing to prove to anyone with a stellar career which sees him already installed as Portugal’s most capped player and record goalscorer. Ronaldo said: “I’m going into this Euros as if it’s my first. When it comes to playing for the national team in a major tournament, there’s no such thing as tiredness or heavy legs. We are the reigning champions and we are contenders.”
He made his international debut as an 18-year-old at the 2004 Euros and since then has bagged a staggering 104 goals in 174 appearances, including nine hat-tricks and a couple of fourtimers.
He’s the only player to have scored at four Euros and it’s a massive odds-on bet that he’ll make that five.
Ronaldo said: “For
HUNGARY
PORTUGAL me more important is winning two Euros. The team have been working very well, they are prepared and now the we have the desire of starting on the right foot, to win the first game.”
With a personal fortune estimated by Forbes at around $500m(£354m) and five Ballon d’Or awards, it would be easy for Ronaldo to take his foot off the gas, but he reveals he goes into this tournament with the same spring in his step. “I’ve won lots of trophies in my career – Champions League, national titles and cups in several countries but Euro 2016 was the most important trophy I’ve ever won. Winning with Portugal has a special taste,” he told FPF360 magazine. There’s a tinge of sadness he was forced to limp off 25 minutes into the final win over France after picking up a knee injury.
But he recalled: “I have spoken before about what an important moment that European Championship win was for the Portuguese team, and for the country. “We were so proud to be able to bring the trophy home (below). It was very emotional. To win it again would be incredible.
“We have fantastic memories of July 10, the Euro 2016 final. This year the final falls on the next day, July 11, and we all want to be at Wembley on that day. I have a lot of belief in this team.”