Bernardo Silva is using his 2016 heartache to fuel his desire to drive Portugal to more European Championship glory.
Manchester City star Silva, then at Monaco, was cruelly ruled out of Euro 2016 on the eve of the tournament, and he was forced to watch on as Portugal beat France in the Paris final. Eight years on, the two countries come face-to-face again in Friday's quarter-final in Hamburg, and Silva is determined to make up for lost time.
"It was very sad. I got injured in the last training session, I tore my hamstring and I missed the Euros,” said Silva. "It was a very sad moment because it was going to be my first competition.
“So of course I’m motivated. This was the biggest title in the history of Portuguese football, and now this is an amazing chance to be one step closer to our main goal which is to bring the cup back home. So I feel motivated to help our team and do my best.”
Portugal are only in the last eight after scraping past Slovenia on penalties, with Cristiano Ronaldo ’s extra-time tears washed away by Diogo Costa’s three stunning shootout saves before Silva slotted the winner.
The attacking midfielder managed to banish thoughts of his infamous miss in Manchester City’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in April, with his winning kick sparking wild celebrations
“I was never the first choice to take a penalty, but whenever there is a shootout I always want to do it,” he said.
“I wanted to take on this responsibility. It’s tough for everyone. Missing can happen to anyone so I’m very proud.”
The six-time Premier League title winner said victory felt all the better because of the state of the much-criticised Frankfurt pitch, which visibly cut up during the 120 minutes.
“We felt relieved. We felt happy,” said Silva. "It’s not easy to go to a penalty shootout after the way we played. The pitch was not good at all, and the fact was that a poor pitch harms the team that wants to have the ball.
“The ball kept bouncing around and that made it harder for us to play one-twos and create more chances. However we feel that we deserved to qualify for the quarter-finals. We had a hero man of the match in Diogo, and we’re ready for this game.”
It will be a clash which will see Silva come up against his former Monaco team-mate Kylian Mbappe, who emerged through the youth ranks in the principality during the Portuguese star’s three years there.
"Kylian is a wonderful player,” said Silva. “He started with us at Monaco at 16 and, after a week, I'd look at Joao Moutinho and say 'Who is this kid?' He stood out from the crowd.
“In my last season with Monaco, he scored so many goals and really shone in the Champions League. I'm delighted he's been able to have a blossoming career and I wish him the best for his career - but not in this match."