There were many favorites to win the 2016 Euro Cup. The hosts France, World champions Germany, Spain, and England were all considered favorites to lift the trophy. But in everyone’s list, Portugal had a very little chance to even qualify for the semi-finals. It was quite natural because the team had a comparatively weak lineup and was one of the oldest squads in the competition. Despite having a poor group stage they progressed to the knockout stages and eventually won the first major trophy in the nation’s history.
But still even hardcore Portuguese supporters fans had doubts about their side. Many believed it was just luck that helped the team win rather than their play. On the way to the first-ever UEFA Nations League, the European champions strengthened the squad with some promising young talent. Among these were André Silva, João Cancelo, João Félix and many more were to come.
The recent additions like Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, Manchester City center-back Rúben Dias, and Barcelona’s Francisco Trincão are all in fine form. The midfield is one of the best in Europe with players like Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva in the lineup.
Once being a team of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese national team has grown leaps and bounds. One of the main reasons behind their success was coach, Fernando Santos. The player turned Manager started his Managerial career in the late ’80s when he was part of Estoril, a club which he spent the majority of his playing career at. He was at the helm of some of the Giants in Portuguese league of the likes of Sporting CP, Porto, and Benfica. After his appointment as the National Team Manager back in 2014, he has done a remarkable job in making the team more competitive. He is one of the nightmares for any European Manager at present.
There is no team talk without mentioning the man himself-Ronaldo. Hailed as the greatest ever to wear a Portuguese shirt, the legend has played a major role in his team’s wins. With him, in the team, the Navigators are a tough team to beat. But his present form is under questionmany. At Juve, he is struggling to find goals from open play and the Old Lady needs his heroics now more than ever.