Euro 2016 - Individual Player Ratings

As the Seleção returned to Portugal as heroes following their 1-0 win over France in the Euro 2016 final, supporters the world over have relished the occasion. From Lisbon to Porto, East Timor to Toronto, banners, flags, and honking car horns were the rule as supporters flocked to the streets to celebrate history.

Having spent 2½ weeks in France covering Portugal’s Euro 2016 odyssey, PortuGOAL.net’s Nathan Motz has undertaken the daunting task of evaluating the individual performance of Portugal’s players. From Rui Patricio to Éder, the ratings are in!

“Winning is, in many circumstances, a nasty affair. It is not the majestic and immaculate process that we often envision it to be. Rather, it is torturous and complex, and often degenerates into more of a contest of wills than footballing ability.”

A divination that rung loud and true for Portugal this fine summer. But let me be the first to admit that when I wrote those words, I had no way of knowing what this Euros would become from Portugal’s standpoint: a determined crusade against a wall of opposition, both on and off the pitch. Afterall, in that same article I predicted a Round of 16 match-up against Sweden and a quarterfinal contest with England. England! How unfathomable…

Before I assess individuals, it needs to be said that the squad’s cohesion was more important than any other factor in Portugal’s championship run. Indeed, in a tournament that invalidated many stereotypes, perhaps none was more significant than the toppling of the “Ronaldo and 10 others” narrative that has been almost universally levied at Portugal for much of the last decade.

Contrary to this degradation of Portugal’s talent, the Euro 2016 success achieved by Santos was even more extraordinary considering that essentially two different squads were used: one for the group stage, another for the knockout rounds. In the process, every outfield player logged minutes and with the exception of Rafa Silva I have enough content to rate each one individually.    

João Moutinho summed it up best after the final when he told PortuGOAL.net that “the unity of the group, on and off the pitch” was what made Portugal champions. They bled and wept together, and, save for the emotionally subjective rants of the international press, proved their quality to the world.

Ratings Guide: 1 – abysmal, 10 – without flaw

Keep in mind that when I rate players, I do so with the intent of capturing their tactical value to the squad, not just their technical ability. I’m also not rating based on individual highlights, or the best and worst moments of a player’s tournament. Rather, I’m attempting to calculate the weighted average of a player’s impact based on the specific role chosen for him by Fernando Santos. My assessments are the end product of both my own personal notes, statistical analysis, and discussions had with football experts whom I trust.

GK/Defence

On an individual level, Portugal’s victory simply would not have been possible without Rui Patricio. It wasn’t just that he made the only penalty kick save of the quarterfinal shoot-out victory over Poland, and it wasn’t because of how good he was against France. This was a tournament performance in which the Sporting keeper made not one calamitous error. There were zero Joe Hart-esque moments, and aside from one bad miscalculation against Croatia, Rui Patricio never put his backline in trouble. His performances surely instilled confidence in a defence that was already performing at a very high level.

Often keepers receive praise for the manner in which they keep the ball out of the net. The more acrobatic the save, the better. But Patricio was simply unflappable. He allowed only five goals in seven matches, two as a result of unfortunate deflections (against Hungary). He kept four clean sheets. He organized the defence, was never out of position on crosses, avoided rash passes, and was rightfully chosen by UEFA in the Team of the Tournament.

His was the best performance by a goalkeeper for Portugal since Ricardo in the 2004-2006 era. It epitomized everything that is needed by a professional keeper at this level.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 9.5

 

Ricardo Carvalho. What a swansong for one of Portugal’s best ever defenders. When he was kicked off the team by Paulo Bento before Euro 2012, many feared his reputation would be tarnished forever. To see him return to the Seleção was great enough, but to see the way he played in the group stage and hand the torch to Jose Fonte for the rest was just sensational. His performances showed that while the body may fade, class has no age. His positional awareness and command of the backline were as superb as they ever were during his FC Porto and Chelsea days.

It’s important to remember that Pepe had one of his worst ever games for Portugal against Iceland, and didn’t make substantial improvement until the Round of 16. During this time, Carvalho was by far the better centreback, and were it not for the injury he suffered against Hungary, he might have been able to offer more for Portugal in the knockout rounds. Euro 2016 was the end of an era for our defence, and Ricardo Carvalho wrote an elegant conclusion to his international career.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 7

 

Pepe’s Team of the Tournament performance was well earned, but it wasn’t always pretty. Hacked clearances, unnecessary fouls, and a distinct lack of composure were ever-present during the group stage. But with the knockout rounds came the Pepe that has been Real Madrid’s first choice centreback for almost a decade. Unyielding and impossible to beat in the air, Pepe didn’t let the mistakes he made in the group stage distract him from his ultimate objective. For me, his mental focus and determination were simply unrecognizable compared to what we saw from him at the 2014 World Cup or even with Real Madrid at the UCL final.

While he wasn’t perfect, there was no playacting, no lapses in sanity or attacks on opposition players, and very little complaining. He did what was asked of him, and left the theatrics at home. Dare I say it? Pepe showed class.

He and Jose Fonte will be favored to lead Portugal’s defence into next year’s Confederations Cup and most likely the 2018 World Cup. One can only hope that Pepe will maintain his newfound composure and mental strength.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 8

 

Jose Fonte took his Euro 2016 opportunity with both hands. The Southampton defender had already had an extraordinary career in which he rose through the lower divisions of English football to the Premier League. For Portugal, Fonte demonstrated two essential characteristics of any good centreback: dependability and consistency. While Pepe was better in the air and more adventurous, Fonte was excellent at tracking runs down the channel and was a workhorse in the centre of defence. When Pepe was ruled out of the semifinals through injury, Fonte maintained continuity, forming a seamless partnership with Bruno Alves as Portugal shutout Wales 2-0.

In rating players, many analysts look only at the highlights, but Fonte’s performance blended into the larger background of Portugal’s defensive authority. Maybe the best way to rate a centreback is by how difficult it is to remember his individual contributions. He was never in trouble, and so consistently excellent that he escaped the spotlight entirely.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 7.5

 

Bruno Alves was the last of Portugal’s 20 outfield players to see the pitch in France and his inclusion in the semifinals ahead of Carvalho was a huge shock. Never blessed with tremendous pace and having ax-kicked England’s Harry Kane in the face during a pre-tournament friendly, it’s fair to say Bruno Alves didn’t inspire much confidence. However, aside from being a little too eager to win a few innocuous headers, Alves performed reasonably well alongside Jose Fonte against Wales. Santos probably selected him over Carvalho for two reasons: 1) His physicality/aerial superiority 2) better likelihood that he would last 120’ if required to do so.

His tournament was short and sweet though as Pepe returned for the final. At 34, Bruno Alves will make his Serie A debut with Cagliari this fall, but it’s difficult to imagine him featuring in any role other than a substitute until he retires. Expect to see one or two new CBs slowly begin to filter into the squad during World Cup qualification.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 6.5

 

Vieirinha was Portugal’s starting right back for the group stage matches, playing every minute. Although it’s true that his lack of positional awareness allowed Iceland to score the equalizer in St. Etienne, Vieirinha played solid, if unspectacular, football until Cedric replaced him for the knockout rounds. Aside from his mistake, the Iceland match was actually his best as he tested the keeper with a rasping drive and linked up well with André Gomes in a move that led to Nani’s goal.

But the fact that Fernando Santos was unwilling to risk Vieirinha for the Round of 16 match against Croatia speaks volumes. Vieirinha was overshadowed by his counterpart, Raphael Guerreiro, at left back in that he struggled to consistently support Portugal’s attacking movements. Vieirinha did mostly what was asked of him but doesn’t seem to fit the dynamic mold that Santos wants in a fullback. Despite his club form for Wolfsburg last season, Vieirinha’s Euro 2016 performance and the young talent currently moving up the youth ranks leaves some doubt as to whether he will feature for Portugal again in competitive matches.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 5.5

 

Raphael Guerreiro was a Euro 2016 revelation and just missed out on the Young Player of the Tournament award to teammate Renato Sanches. Of all the things I could write about his performances, it’s perhaps most significant to discuss the impact on the team when he wasn’t fit to play (against Croatia and Poland). Without him, Portugal simply could not build down the left flank and were more predictable. Guerreiro makes the modern fullback role look easy, able to take on defenders with the skill of a winger while possessing sufficient recovery speed and stamina to perform his defensive duties. As he did for Lorient during the club season, Guerreiro demonstrated his potency as a dead-ball specialist, unlucky not to score in the final as his free kick struck the crossbar. He also demonstrated mature decision making every time he touched the ball. Knowing when to cut inside versus when to make a safe pass and preserve possession reveals higher-tier intellectual development.

In addition to being an able defender, Guerreiro created the most chances of any player outside Ronaldo, Nani, and João Mário. The 22 year old will surely head to Borussia Dortmund confident that he can showcase the skill and intelligence that made him an easy pick for UEFA’s Team of the Tournament.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 8.5

 

Cedric was another player who featured in Fernando Santos’ knockout round incarnation of the Seleção. It’s interesting that both he and Vieirinha, whom he replaced, made critical mistakes that allowed the opposition to score. But two things kept Cedric in the squad ahead of Vieirinha: he responded much better to his mistake, and he is a more intelligent defender. Neither of Portugal’s right backs have any qualms about getting forward in support of the attack, but Cedric upheld Portugal’s defensive solidarity in a way that Vieirinha could not. Both were also relatively ineffective in delivering crosses, but the primary responsibility Santos gave them was defence focused. Cedric was excellent in that department with only Guerreiro able to match the number of tackles he amassed at Euro 2016.

Cedric immediately declared his presence by closing down Croatia’s Ivan Perisic, one of the tournament’s better players in the group stage. It’s significant when you consider Perisic switched wings to work on Raphael Guerreiro at several points during the match.

Aside from his mistake against Poland, the only real flaw in Cedric’s game was in delivering crosses. Portugal’s 4-4-2 is a radical shift in that it removes or displaces the natural wingers in the squad. Nani and Ronaldo are on the receiving end now, and the likes of João Mário and André Gomes don’t provide as much width since they favor central positions. Our fullbacks will be more essential than ever in providing width and service from the margins of the pitch.

In the years to come, Cedric will face stiff competition from João Cancelo among others, and will be able to set himself apart by adding more of an attacking threat to his game.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 7.5

 

Eliseu featured in only two matches during the tournament and might not have featured at all if Guerreiro would not have picked up an injury in the match against Austria. The veteran fullback, on the end of a remarkable title winning campaign with Benfica, had a very difficult initial match against Hungary. Ronaldo’s frustrated gestures for Eliseu to overlap down the wing often failed to inspire, and Eliseu spent most of the evening just trying not to get caught out of position. He was also guilty of not closing down on defence before Dzsudzsak’s shot was deflected beyond Patricio for Hungary’s 3rd goal. Eliseu was better against Poland, but lacked the offensive threat of Guerreiro, and was benched for the final two matches of Portugal’s campaign.

His experience notwithstanding, Eliseu’s performance combined with the emergence of Guerreiro and the potential return of Fabio Coentrao makes it difficult to imagine his return to the Seleção in any capacity.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 4.5

 

Midfield

Renato Sanches broke several records during the tournament, becoming the youngest player to score in a knockout round match, and breaking Ronaldo’s record as the youngest player to start the final of a European championship. Add to that the Young Player of the Tournament award and you begin to understand just how significant his accomplishments were and what they meant to Portugal’s campaign.

History making aside, Renato’s performance at Euro 2016 was a mixture of raw power, youthful naivety, and dynamic execution. As good as he was, my verdict is unwavering: he’s still not quite there yet. 18 years old, Euro 2016 winner, moving to Bayern Munich, and I still insist that this kid has more to give. Wow.

It became obvious after the first two group stage matches that Fernando Santos’ Portugal was a very different tactical conception than the versions that preceded it. Midfielders (like João Moutinho, André Gomes) that relied more on technique and vertical passing weren’t suited for the physicality and endurance required to work in Portugal’s midfield during Euro 2016.

After the match against Hungary, Jose Fonte confided to me that “Renato is an energy player, a powerful player that likes to drive the ball forward.” Not exactly the quintessential Portuguese midfielder. There were times in this tournament where Renato seemed confused about how to stitch together passing networks between the defence and attack. But he showed a real talent for finding and charging through any open lanes in midfield, often leaving a trail of defenders in his wake. The only concern I have with Renato, and with some of our other midfielders, is how best to leverage his unique skillset alongside other players that see the field very differently. How will he cooperate with a maestro-esque player like André Gomes, for example?

The final against France offered a glimpse of some of Renato’s limitations. While he was busy tracking Pogba, Matuidi, and Sissoko, he wasn’t able to establish any kind of passing rhythm. In fact, many passing moves broke down when the ball reached him. Contrast that with Portugal’s approach once João Moutinho entered the match. Renato’s inefficiency in distribution limited Portugal until the little Monaco playmaker sped up the passing tempo. The build-up between Moutinho, William, and Quaresma prior to Éder’s winning goal is a good example.

All things considered, there are some tactical dilemmas associated with Renato that need to be sorted out, but his performances, especially as a substitute, were crucial to our success. His finish against Poland was as crisp and confident as any you’ll see at this level. Bigger and better things are surely to come.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 7

 

Before Euro 2016, Danilo was clearly Portugal’s best defensive midfielder. By tournament’s end, his future in the squad looked uncertain. That might sound a bit harsh, but considering the presence of William (24) and his up-and-coming Porto teammate Ruben Neves (19), it’s not unreasonable to suggest that Danilo has a long task ahead of him to secure more regular playing time for the Seleção.

In all fairness to him, things could have been different were it not for a back injury suffered in the first half of the Iceland match. But truth be told, Danilo’s play deteriorated from the force in midfield that he was at FC Porto to that of a man who looked overwhelmed by the occasion. That point was made obvious early on when Gylfi Sigurdson turned Danilo far too easily to create a shooting opportunity in the opening minutes of Portugal’s first match. From there, Danilo never really looked at ease.

Danilo returned against Wales in place of the suspended William and was at least successful in preventing Gareth Bale from running riot through the centre of the pitch. He also showed the one aspect of his game that William lacks by racing through the right channel and testing Hennessey with a decent effort.

But it all comes back to composure and how his skillset meshes with the rest of our midfield. With a Renato Sanches running loose in midfield, the need for a calm, sophisticated passer increases, and Danilo doesn’t possess the range of passing that William does. He does offer a goalscoring threat, but that too loses value if he cannot perform the task for which his position gets its name: hold midfield.

Throughout the tournament I defended him by saying that on his best day he’s our most complete defensive midfielder. But the transition to a 4-4-2 means we need players who can do more than just shield the back four. Danilo is a great destroyer, but he needs to add more creative elements to his game, especially the ability to read the field and deliver crosses from the defensive third to the wing.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 6

 

If I’m honest, William’s journey at Euro 2016 didn’t leave me with the sense of closure about the defensive midfield role that I wanted. While it is fair to say that he outperformed Danilo, the margin between the two players wasn’t significant and you could even argue that William was poor in certain matches.

Before people get too defensive, let me articulate my position. It isn’t that I don’t recognize his ability, especially the absolutely essential quality he possesses to switch the field with pinpoint 50-60 meter crosses. It’s William’s consistency, a factor which has held him back for both club and country for a couple seasons now. Contrast his performances against Austria and Hungary for example. The match against Austria was his first of the tournament and he was sublime. He read the field like a seasoned veteran, seemingly had more time on the ball than anyone else (the mark of a great player), and controlled the game exactly as would be expected of him. He also neutralized David Alaba to the point that Marcel Koller substituted him in only the 65th minute.

Against Hungary, we saw a different William. Instead of composed, he was lethargic. Instead of the neat passing tempo he generated against Austria, we witnessed a hesitant, noncommittal style of play that led to several bad giveaways. William followed that performance with two workman-like efforts against Croatia and Poland, then improved in the final against France, forcing their attacks wide (with the exception of Sissoko, who was completely unchained) and participating in the build-up to Éder’s goal.

In fact, so inconsistent was William’s display in this tournament that I have found him nearly impossible to rate. What is clear is that he and his Sporting midfield compatriots were the winning recipe. The extent to which he influenced that is honestly hard to assess. He was unplayable, he was average, and he was poor at various points in this tournament. Still, like some of our other young midfielders, I get the impression that William has more to give. I hope for the sake of the Seleção that he’s able to add some consistency to his game and become the rock in midfield that we need.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 6.5

 

Though less talented overall, the midfield trio of Veloso-Meireles-Moutinho that we took to Euro 2012 had a very strong work ethic. They were unrelenting and covered over some of their imperfections with a diligent and industrious style of play that even the Spanish midfield found difficult to overcome (semifinals). The inclusion of Adrien for the knockout round matches reminded me that individual skill is not the only factor involved in player selection.

That isn’t to say that Adrien’s football was technically inadequate, but it’s obvious that he wasn’t chosen to be a maestro either. His first assignment against Croatia epitomized the role he was given at Euro 2016. In that match, he was delegated the unenviable task of chasing Ivan Rakitic and especially Luka Modric all over the pitch. Even though Modric did get loose on occasion, Adrien’s physical and intelligent marking did not allow him to bring his influence to bear on the match. Rakitic was anonymous. Adrien also linked up well with João Mário and Renato Sanches, adding more tactical justification to Santos’ faith in him.

Having said that, I wasn’t overly inspired by his support of the attack at any point in this tournament. He seemed uncertain as soon as he approached the attacking third of the pitch, and several times he let shooting opportunities go begging.

Tactically, Adrien was the best choice for the role he was given by Santos at Euro 2016. In the future, this might not be the case. In particular, we may need a player who is capable of some kind of scoring threat from central midfield. Before the tournament I would have said Adrien or André Gomes could provide that, but the solution isn’t as clear now. Even so, Adrien is another unsung player that performed his unique assignment with distinction at Euro 2016.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 7

 

João Moutinho was the subject of growing criticism even before Euro 2016 began. Injuries and lackluster form at Monaco had many calling for Renato Sanches’ inclusion from the beginning. As the tournament wore on, Moutinho gradually featured less before being dropped from the starting lineup after the group stage. But I believe tactics were more to blame for this than his individual form.

For some, the role of midfield is about converting defence to attack. The sole purpose of a midfielder is to distribute or advance the ball forward. But even attacking midfielders have to be able to defend when required. Statistical reports showed that throughout the tournament, Moutinho was one of the poorest tacklers on the squad and was frequently caught drifting too far upfield. His passing statistics secured him a dubious Man of the Match award against Hungary even though he didn’t make a single tackle in the opening 45 minutes. Ultimately, Santos wanted more physicality, greater defensive responsibility, and more energy from his No8 (box-to-box role). This led to the inevitable replacement of Moutinho with Sanches. Because Moutinho wasn’t as versatile as Adrien or João Mário (who can play on the left or right) he lost his starting place in central midfield entirely.

Moutinho did make an important contribution as a substitute in the final, however. His introduction for Adrien streamlined the passing network in midfield enough to turn the tide against France. It serves as a reminder that Moutinho is still a quality player that can contribute to the Seleção, but his role now depends on individual match tactics. As a result, it’s likely that he will transition to more of an impact substitute.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 6

 

André Gomes’ tournament started positively. His combination down the right with Vieirinha allowed him to burst free down the wing and send in the cross that Nani finished for Portugal’s first goal of the tournament. From there, the situation deteriorated for the former Valencia man, but not because he’s out of his depth. Gomes is physically imposing at 6’1” tall (1.88m), but plays a brand of highly technical, sophisticated football that left him all at sea in Fernando Santos’ midfield. There were certainly some highlights in the group stage that showcase why Barcelona recently signed the 22 year old, but the reality for Gomes at Euro 2016 was that his skill was out of sync with Portugal’s tactics. As a result, he lost his starting position and finished the tournament on the bench.

To be fair, Gomes played almost exclusively in central midfield for Valencia last season, but was moved to the left in order to accommodate João Moutinho. He occasionally switched sides with João Mário as well but wasn’t allowed to move centrally in this tournament, which leaves me wondering how much this impacted his performances. Once again, I find myself concerned by how Santos will utilize a player like Gomes, who might be a more skillful footballer than Moutinho, Mário, Adrien, and even Renato. Whatever the future may be, Euro 2016 will go down as a learning experience for Gomes, and is good preparation for whatever role he’ll surely play for Portugal in the coming years.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 5

 

No player created more chances for Portugal at Euro 2016 than João Mário. But his influence wasn’t constant and it became obvious that he favors a central or right midfield role for Portugal. Against Hungary, he sparkled in the second half as a No10, becoming the creative outlet both in terms of both distribution and attacking defenders at pace. This role was short-lived, however, and João Mário was most active on the right side of midfield with the exception of the quarterfinal in which he featured on the left. That match was his worst of the tournament and again underscores my growing concern with our midfield: how to maximize each player’s unique skillset given there are a multitude of options for each specific role.

That said, João Mário was clearly our best right side midfielder in this tournament. Renato Sanches wasn’t as effective outside of central midfield save for the first half against Poland. But any limitations to Mário’s game have to be considered within context. This was his first senior side tournament, and at 23 there is a great deal of time for him to hone his ability. All things considered, Euro 2016 wasn’t an overwhelming debut, but it was a step in the right direction for him.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 6

  

Forwards

Ricardo Quaresma’s tale is one that really needed a happy ending. That he was able to play a role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory is very special to almost every Portugal supporter. Even so, there is still a part of me that wonders how this tournament might have gone if he had been fit from the beginning. The injury that ruled him out against Iceland seemingly allowed Nani into the side, and the Fenerbahce winger responded by having his best ever tournament for Portugal. What might have been? At the same time, consider the following.

When Quaresma did return against Austria, Santos reverted to the old 4-3-3 to accommodate him, a change that inspired an offensive deluge, but somehow no goals. Out again went Quaresma for the match against Hungary, and he would only feature as a substitute for the rest of the tournament as Santos retained the 4-4-2.

Similar to some other players, it was the 4-4-2 that kept Quaresma on the sidelines for much of the tournament. Though the Besiktas winger is capable of outrageous moments of skill, and is probably the most popular Portuguese player not named Ronaldo, he’s a tactical liability. True, being unpredictable is part of what makes him good, but Santos wanted a player who could reliably function as a No9. The 4-3-3 is a system which maximizes Quaresma’s potential as a loose cannon on the wing, but the 4-4-2 changed the course of his tournament.

Quaresma became Santos’ maverick, late game option. Though difficult for many supporters to accept, I think it was the right decision. One goal and one assist was a decent return for the amount of minutes he played, especially when you consider that his dramatic goal against Croatia sent us to the quarterfinals. But with talented young players chomping at the bit, and an unfavorable 4-4-2 system in place, Quaresma will likely remain an impact sub for the duration of his time with the Seleção.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 7

 

Éder aside, Nani was the player most often criticized by Portugal fans before this tournament. Looking back, it’s shocking how many people said he shouldn’t have been called up at all. To be fair, his role as co-striker with Ronaldo ended up being more successful than anyone could have imagined.

Nani’s decision making has always been his limiting factor. When you consider his repertoire, there’s long range goals, cheeky back-heels, elegant footwork, pace to spare, and just about every other admirable footballing quality. But his inability to see the opportunities ahead of him at game speed and choose the best option consistently has prevented him from being considered an elite player.

His transition to No9 at Euro 2016 removed several links in the decision-making chain that allowed him to play more instinctively. The ball arrived at his feet and he delivered a shot on target, full stop. Even so, his runs off the ball were intelligent and created space for Ronaldo and others to exploit. Nani was either involved or directly contributed to many of Portugal’s most important goals including the opener against Iceland, the 117th minute winner against Croatia, and the equalizer against Poland.

Nevertheless, he did have a tendency to fade over the course of a match, often logging his best minutes before the halftime interval. When Rafa Silva replaced him in the 89th minute against Austria, the searing injection of pace he brought was testament that Nani had stayed on the pitch well beyond his useful limit.

But this was a special tournament for Nani, often unloved by his own supporters and eternally (and unfairly) compared with Ronaldo by outsiders. His summer move to Valencia was well earned.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 8

 

There were so many individual and collective storylines surrounding Portugal this summer that it’s difficult to choose a favorite. But Éder’s is a tale worthy of Hollywood for sure. Would he have been selected for Euro 2016 at all if Portugal had more options at the striker position? It is true that his form at Lille in the second half of the 2015/16 season was superb, but prior to that point Éder had only ever flattered to deceive since his time at Braga. That history combined with Santos openly declaring before the tournament that a natural No9 wasn’t part of his plan made it seem as if Éder’s selection was superfluous at best, profligate at worst.

True to his word, Santos made little use of Éder during this tournament, but the decision to throw him on against France literally changed the history of the Seleção. Say what you will, Portugal were already the more threatening team in extra time and might have scored anyway, but Éder's performance was about so much more than his stunning goal. This was the best of Éder: physical, but not so consumed with the brute nature of his assignment that he was unavailable to win headers and receive the ball at his feet. He was an outlet and held possession well enough against a very physical French defence, and when the time came he crowned an already brilliant individual performance with the type of goal that you just don’t forget. The guttural scream that I let loose when that ball hit the back of the net….primal.

That version of Éder is one that has a future with this squad, but I want to round out this discussion by pointing out that his performance at this Euros was a deviation from the norm. While there is certainly hope that he can carry the mantle as our No9 for the foreseeable future, it’s unwise to assess a player’s entire future based on isolated moments of genuine quality. Need proof? See Bruma and Nelson Oliveira for starters. It’s also important to remember that Santos obviously favors Ronaldo and Nani up top for the time being, so Éder will almost certainly remain an impact substitute.

But none of that will ever change what has already happened at Euro 2016. Regardless of what his future may be with the Seleção, he should be tremendously proud that he was the man who completed Portugal’s long and bitter struggle for glory with a sublime finish that will never be forgotten.

PortuGOAL.net rating: 8

 

I saved my assessment of Cristiano for last because it’s so important to me that I capture the decisive impact his leadership had on the Euro 2016 squad. For those of us who have followed the Seleção through thick and thin, it’s obvious that Ronaldo’s style of play, attitude, and end product have changed a lot over the years. But I would argue that his commitment to Portugal has never changed despite some of the sharp criticisms he received over the years even from Portuguese supporters. During the Quieroz era, for example, I travelled to Portugal and spoke with locals about him frequently. Each time, I walked away from those conversations amazed at how little they appreciated Ronaldo. “He doesn’t win for Portugal,” they’d say. “He only cares about himself.”

Even during this tournament I read posts and heard the same old “he’s not suited to wear the Captain’s armband” expressions that I’ve listened to quietly for years. Now, as we bask in the glory of an accomplishment that not even Eusébio or Luís Figo could bring us, can we all agree on something? Can we agree that the constant questioning of Ronaldo’s status as the leader and captain of this squad is both obsolete and absurd? Can we agree that it should probably stop?

Take a moment to contrast Ronaldo’s celebration at having won Euro 2016 with those after all three of his Champions League victories. Perhaps you know where I’m going with this, if not then spend a minute on YouTube to compare and contrast.

I’ll tell you what I see. What I see on video on July 10th, 2016 is a man overwhelmed that he has given everything for his people and finally won the heroic victory that has been sought after for so long by so many great players. I see in that moment a leader who felt the immensity of the accomplishment in so many ways. Exultation at having finally accomplished the unattainable, and sadness that Figo, Rui Costa, and so many others will never know the same joy that he felt. Poor Eusébio, forever an icon for the Seleção, will never know.

I’ve never seen Ronaldo look the way he did after Euro 2016. Yes, he took his jersey off just like after his UCL victories, but only to put on his winner’s shirt. He took pictures with the Euro 2016 trophy balanced on his head. He wept until he couldn’t anymore. He cares so much more about Portugal than he ever has about any club.

Time for some more honesty. Ronaldo is arrogant. He is concerned with his image and his brand and his museum and many other things that people have used as ammunition to malign his character. I openly admit that Ronaldo isn’t a perfect human being, but neither am I and that’s all the reason I need to forgive whatever human faults he has and move on. Especially when there are so many good things about him that people never bother to know. So Ronaldo upsets people with his post-match comments and goal celebrations. Well, do I have any right to throw the first stone? Certainly not after considering what he gave so Portugal could win Euro 2016.

He gave up his position on the wing, transitioning to a joint striker role. He sacrificed his body in the final, but emerged as a vocal leader on the sidelines. He gave his Silver Boot trophy to Nani. He gave his very best physical effort, scoring or assisting six of Portugal’s nine goals in France. Finally, he gave the whole of Portugal, its Diaspora, and refugee fans like me the gift of the very first major tournament victory that we can all celebrate forever.

Turning to Ronaldo’s performance, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. He played well vs Iceland and even better against Austria, but his inability to convert chances bordered on the absurd during those first two matches. But his efficiency against Hungary stood in stark contrast, and his first goal was one of the tournament’s best.

It’s obvious that he’s not entirely comfortable up top, especially with his back to goal for much of the time, but this is likely the way Ronaldo will play until he retires from the Seleção. I always said that if we could field a strong enough team behind him, Ronaldo could thrive as a No9. This tournament proved that to a limited extent, but there’s certainly ample reason to suspect that things will only get better.

I think it’s beautiful that Ronaldo will have the chance to lead this young and talented generation for at least the next few years. The not-so-very-distant future is one in which we’ll no longer have the luxury of watching Ronaldo make the kind of celestial leap he did to score against Wales in the semifinals. That Cristiano was able to fortify this young squad with a winning mentality before he retires was perhaps the biggest impact that he’s ever had on the Seleção. And that is saying a lot considering he’s already our record goalscorer, most capped player, etc.

Now, rather than fear the great unknown after Ronaldo is gone, we have something of a legacy to buoy us onward. And of course, it doesn’t hurt that our youth ranks are bursting at the seams with talent.

Cristiano Ronaldo, is he hero, is he villain? I scoff at the ignorance of this petty, media contrived quandary. Euro 2016 proved he’s a leader, a champion, rightful Captain of the Seleção, and I get the feeling that this majestic ride is not quite over yet. Europe is conquered, now the World!

PortuGOAL.net rating: 8.5

 

Força Seleção Sempre.

 

by Nathan Motz

Twitter: @nathanmotz