Cristiano Ronaldo believes his Portugal side are ready to win their country’s first major title after qualifying for the final of Euro 2016.
A Seleccao have been criticised for their negative style of play in France but they produced an improved performance on Wednesday, as goals from Ronaldo and Nani gave them a 2-0 win over Wales.
It means they will now face either hosts France or world champions Germany in Sunday’s showpiece and their skipper will be looking to gain redemption, having been part of the Portuguese team that lost the Euro 2004 final to Greece on home soil.
Back then he was a fresh-faced teenager but these days he is very much the main man for his country. Having experienced plenty of domestic success with both Manchester United and Real Madrid, international glory has so far eluded Ronaldo and little was expected of Fernando Santos’ men heading into the current tournament.
However, after battling into the final, the 31-year-old believes his country deserve to finally win their first piece of major silverware. “I am very confident and I believe that all these boys deserve it,” Ronaldo said. “Yes, this time is different. I was 18, that was my first final. My debut. Now 12 years have gone by and now we are going to play another final. I am very proud of that. “I have always dreamed of winning for Portugal, I hope it is our turn now.
“We’ve yet to win anything but it’s the final. I don’t think many people thought that Portugal would make it to the final, but we are there.” Portugal are currently the 2.75 favourites to win Euro 2016, with both Germany and France priced at 2.88.
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