Portuguese player Jose Fonte has refuted the theory that the national team drew inspiration for winning the Euro 2016 title from what his Portuguese teammate Cristiano Ronaldo did on the touchline after he was injured.
Ronaldo was seen shouting and directing the players from behind coach Fernando Santos and everyone thought he had inspired the team to win the title, but Fonte, who partnered Pepe in defence for the entire 119 minutes of the final against France, said: “We were focused on trying to win the game. We knew what Ronaldo did after the game from watching the replay. Honestly, our focus was on the pitch.”
In that final, Ronaldo took on the role of the coach and covered up for him by giving instructions and shouting at the players, so some fans found Fonte’s words illogical.
Fonte has previously described Ronaldo as “one of the best players ever” and praised his dedication in training, but in 2022 he said: “Portugal plays more as a team without Ronaldo.”
Ronaldo, who was eliminated by France in the quarter-finals of the current edition of the tournament, confirmed that it is his last, saying: “This is without a doubt my last European Championship, but my feelings will not be affected. My feelings are affected by everything related to football because of my passion for the game and my passion for seeing the fans and my family and the love people have for me. It is not about leaving football, because if I leave football what is left for me to do or win? The future will not be about getting one point more or one point less; it is about making people happy and that is what motivates me the most.”