Portugal’s match-winner in the Euro 2016 final Eder has said that teammate Cristiano Ronaldo told him he would score the winning goal against hosts France.
Eder came on for Renato Sanches in the 79th minute with the game tied at 0-0.
His strike past France keeper, Hugo Lloris, in the 109th minute settled a tight encounter which seemed destined for penalties and handed Portugal their first ever major international title.
Portugal captain Ronaldo had been stretchered off the field in tears inside the first 20 minutes of the game, but returned for extra-time where he could be seen urging on his teammates.
And Eder has revealed that the encouraging words from his team’s captain and star player drove him on to score the goal.
“[Ronaldo] told me I would score the winning goal for the team,” the striker told Portuguese newspaper O Jogo. “He gave me this strength, this energy and it was vital.
“It was a goal I’ve been working for from the first minute of the Euros.
“For all the work we did, for all of the Portuguese, it’s fantastic. It’s well deserved and we should all be congratulated.”
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana