Portugal’s players were understandably euphoric after making history by beating France in Paris tonight to become Euro 2016 champions.
An example of the joy among the squad can be heard in the excerpt below, which was recorded when captain Cristiano Ronaldo and several of his team-mates came through the Mixed Zone doing the conga after the match.
PortuGOAL spoke at some length (by Mixed Zone standards) to João Moutinho about what it means to be crowned Euro 2016 champions and aspects of the match at the Stade de France. Listen to the interview and read the (English) transcript below.
Before that, PortuGOAL caught up with João Moutinho. This is what the midfielder who got the assist for Éder’s winner said. (Interview in Portuguese, English translation below)
PortuGOAL: “You’ve won a lot of titles in your career, especially at FC Porto. How does this compare?”
João Moutinho: “There’s no comparison. This is a European title. We were here playing for all of the Portuguese, for ourselves, for those here who supported us, for all the people who didn’t believe in us, we managed to turn things in our favour and become European champions and we are to be congratulated for all the strength and togetherness we showed on and off the pitch. This shows the squad we have and what we achieved during this month at the Euro.”
PortuGOAL: “How did you feel when Cristiano got injured right at the start?”
João Moutinho: “Of course we don’t like seeing a team-mate going off injured. Unfortunately it happened to Cristiano, but we had to get over it. Another player came on for him and luckily we managed to get the result we wanted, which was the victory.”
PortuGOAL: “Is it the best moment in your career?”
João Moutinho: “Yes, without a doubt. All trophies are good but this one is special because it’s a trophy that Portugal had never won, and which was our ambition to win, and we did it.”
PortuGOAL: “Portugal were heavily criticised during the tournament for their style of football, but Portugal won and that’s all the matters…”
João Moutinho: “What always matters is winning, and that's what we did. Of course, if it was possible we would have liked to play better football, but sometimes we have to be realistic, and do your best to get the victory, and that's what we did during the European Championship. We managed to get the better of teams tactically, scoring the goals we needed to get the wins.”
PortuGOAL: “How did you feel when that Éder goal hit the back of the net?”
João Moutinho: “It was a moment of enormous joy. It was what we'd been working for during the 120 minutes. Éder scored an excellent goal and we are all to be congratulated for winning the Euro.”
PortuGOAL: “João got the assist for Éder to score. When you made the pass did you think he was going to score?”
João Moutinho: “We have confidence in everyone. I passed to Éder, who plays very well with his back to goal. He turned and hit an excellent shot. But the whole team has to be congratulated. Not just Éder who scored, or me for making the pass, but the whole team who worked for 120 minutes to get in a winning position. Congratulations to us and to the country.”
PortuGOAL: “What was the secret that made Portugal champions?”
João Moutinho: “Like I said, the unity of the group, on and off the pitch, even at times when nobody fancied us, and we managed to show on the pitch our togetherness, our spirit among the squad was enormous, and we were superior (to the other teams). We deserved what we conquered and now we have to celebrate because it’s a great triumph for us and for Portugal.”
Tom Kundert was asking the questions
