Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed that Portugal will beat France on Sunday to become European champions for the first time ever.
Ronaldo is just one goal and victory away from becoming the top scorer in European Championship history and captaining Portugal to glory at Euro 2016, which would mark the Seleccao’s first-ever major trophy, and the No 7 is confident of realising his “dream” at Stade de France.
“They are, in my opinion, favourites because they are playing at home and that’s a big advantage,” he told UEFA’s official website.
“The whole country is going to support them, but it’s a final and anything can happen. We’re going to be prepared and we’re going to be difficult to beat.
“Since the tournament started, nobody has beaten us, and I hope France aren’t going to beat us either.
“It’s something that I always dreamed of. It would be a huge achievement if I could win something with Portugal.
“My fingers are crossed because I believe, my colleagues believe, all of Portugal believes and the Portuguese community in France believe too.
“It’s unique, a feeling of joy, because being in a final is something I wanted to achieve again.
“Now I will have the fortune, if everything goes well, to be playing on Sunday in a second final for Portugal.
“In a final anything can happen. We know we will face a great opponent, a great national team, but it’s a final and anything is possible. It’s going to be a tough game for both of us."
“[On being a goal away from becoming the Euros’ all-time top goalscorer], these things happen naturally," he explained.
“I try not to be too obsessed with records. They happen. So it’s nice but nothing more. I feel good, young, strong. So what I want most is to keep on being successful.
“We have to believe positively. On Sunday it will be the first time that Portugal are going to win an important trophy.”
