Eight years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo stood on the podium, tears streaming down his face, uttering words that resonated with the heart of every underdog: “No one believed in us. No one believed in Portugal.” He had just captained Portugal to victory at Euro 2016, securing his nation’s first-ever major international trophy and, remarkably, his own first and only one to date.
As Ronaldo, now 39, aims for another European Championship at Euro 2024, leading Portugal in their Round of 16 match against Slovenia, it’s time to cast our minds back to that improbable journey in France. Euro 2016 wasn’t a tale of dominant football and smooth victories for Portugal; instead, it was a rollercoaster of near misses, controversial moments, and sheer resilience, defying expectations at every turn.
In the lead-up to the tournament and during the group stages, few had faith in Portugal’s chances. This wasn’t the current Portuguese squad, brimming with world-class talent from defense to attack. Back then, the team was perceived as heavily reliant on Ronaldo’s individual brilliance, and even that seemed to be faltering at times. The skepticism was palpable, and for good reason.
Remember Ronaldo’s infamous microphone-throwing incident? Frustration boiled over when a reporter dared to question him. Then, in their opening match against debutants Iceland, Portugal struggled to break down a resolute defense, drawing 1-1. Ronaldo dismissed Iceland’s tactics as having a “small mentality,” arrogantly predicting they “wouldn’t get anywhere.” Ironically, Iceland, a nation of just 330,000 people, went on to stun England and reach the quarter-finals, proving Ronaldo spectacularly wrong.
Alt text: Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Portugal, showcasing his top moments against Georgia in a recent match.
The frustration mounted. A missed penalty by Ronaldo against Austria in their second group game resulted in another draw. Against Hungary, in a chaotic and thrilling encounter, Portugal went behind three times. Ronaldo finally found his scoring boots, netting two crucial equalizers to secure a 3-3 draw.
Euro 2016 was the first edition expanded to 24 teams, a format change that proved incredibly fortunate for Portugal. Finishing third in their group, they squeezed through to the knockout stages, a far cry from a convincing start. Under the guidance of head coach Fernando Santos, Portugal embarked on a knockout journey that was anything but straightforward.
Statistically, Portugal’s path to glory was unusual. They only won one of their seven matches in regulation time – the semi-final victory against Wales. Their passage was paved with draws and extra time drama. Finishing third in the group ironically placed them on the ‘weaker’ side of the knockout bracket, avoiding powerhouses like Spain, England, Germany, France, and Italy until the final.
Even then, their progress was fraught with tension. Ricardo Quaresma’s 117th-minute extra-time goal against Croatia was needed to avoid a penalty shootout in the Round of 16. Against Poland in the quarter-finals, after a 1-1 draw, they edged through via a penalty shootout.
Alt text: A panel discussion analyzing whether Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence is limiting Portugal’s team potential in current tournaments.
The final against France in Paris provided the ultimate test of Portugal’s resilience. Just nine minutes in, a collision with Dimitri Payet forced Ronaldo off the pitch with a knee injury. His Euro 2016 final appeared to be over. Yet, even injured, Ronaldo became an inspirational figure on the sidelines, passionately cheering and almost coaching his teammates. Substitute Eder, a player who had barely featured in the tournament, stepped up to score a stunning long-range winner in extra time, silencing the Stade de France and securing the trophy for Portugal.
In the aftermath of the final whistle, all the earlier struggles, the draws, the controversies, the skepticism, faded into insignificance. Portugal were Euro 2016 champions.
“Very happy, very happy,” Ronaldo repeated to reporters, his voice thick with emotion. “It was something I tried for so many times since 2004, praying that I would get one more opportunity. The Portuguese people needed it, and the players needed it.”
He continued, “It is one of the happiest moments of my career. I won so many things with my club, individually. I always said that I wanted to win a championship with the Portugal team, to make history. And I won.”
Fast forward to Euro 2024, and Portugal, now with a more balanced and arguably stronger squad, are among the favorites. However, a recent defeat to Georgia, even with rotated players, served as a reminder that complacency can be dangerous. Coach Roberto Martinez believes such setbacks can be valuable, sharpening focus and reinforcing the underdog spirit that served them so well in 2016. Just as in Euro 2016, perhaps a bumpy road and moments of adversity might be exactly what Portugal needs to fuel another unexpected, historic triumph.
Alt text: UEFA Euro Cup official competition logo, representing the tournament for European national teams.
