According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Fernando Santos recalled Portugal's victory at Euro 2016, stating that team unity was the secret to success and Ronaldo's role was decisive.
Ten years after Portugal's historic Euro 2016 triumph, head coach Fernando Santos, who led the team to its first major trophy, recalled key moments from that journey and emphasized that team unity was the "biggest secret" to success.
Fernando Santos, now 71, stated in a message to Lusa: "Ten years have passed since that unforgettable day in Paris. Time allows us to look back at everything with a calmer mind and understand more clearly the weight of our achievements."
For Fernando Santos, the key to defeating France in the final on July 10, 2016, was team spirit. He emphasized: "If there's one idea from that journey that sticks with me, it's that 'we' always comes before 'I'." He also specifically mentioned the crucial role of captain Ronaldo.
Fernando Santos said: "Ronaldo, as captain, played an absolutely decisive role both on and off the field. He led the team by example, with ambition and a never-give-up attitude." Santos took over the Portuguese national team in September 2014.
Despite praising the individual talents of players like Ricardo Quaresma, Nani, Carvalho, and Pepe, Santos still maintained that the team's strength did not solely come from technical ability. He said: "We had many highly talented players, but talent alone is not enough. What truly made the difference was the trust everyone had in each other, the ability to work towards the same goal every day, and the unity formed within that team."
The former Portugal coach also led the team to win the UEFA Nations League in 2019. He gave credit to all participants, from players with less playing time to the staff of the Portuguese Football Federation. Santos emphasized: "Everyone gave their all, whether in training, in matches, or in the atmosphere they created among themselves, ultimately leading Portugal to win the most important trophy in its history. Everyone's dedication, ability, and professionalism created the conditions for the team to focus solely on the game."
Santos also emotionally recalled the support of the fans, especially the Portuguese immigrant community in France. He said: "I will also never forget the extraordinary support the Portuguese people gave us. I have a very special affection for the Portuguese immigrants in France, who turned Marcoussis into a true home for the national team. The energy, emotion, and pride they showed when accompanying us gave us an unexplainable strength."
That victory was sealed by Éder's goal in the 109th minute. During the match, Ronaldo left the field in the 25th minute due to injury and then experienced very tense moments beside the coach. Ten years later, Fernando Santos shared his feelings about fulfilling his mission. He concluded: "I still feel the same pride. Not just because we won the championship, but also because of the way we won it. Because that victory belongs to everyone, not just to me."
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