Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal to Euro 2016 success with inspirational half-time team talk, reveals Cedric Soares
Southampton ace praises Real Madrid superstar for overcoming early setback and leading team to victory
CRISTIANO RONALDO roared his team-mates onto Euro 2016 victory with a rousing half-time team-talk, according to Cedric Soares.
The Portugal captain and talisman had to be substituted on 25 minutes following a collision with Dimitri Payet.
And Southampton full-back, Soares, revealed the players were downbeat after losing the Real Madrid superstar — but their “fantastic” skipper took his opportunity during the interval to lift everyone’s spirits.
He said: "It was a very tough moment.
"I remember, for me and the team, everybody was a little bit in shock I think.
"In half-time, Cristiano had fantastic words for us. He gave us a lot of confidence and said 'listen people, I'm sure we will win, so stay together and fight for it.'
"It was really unbelievable. I think all the team had a fantastic attitude. And we showed tonight when you fight as one you are much, much stronger."
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Ronaldo spent the majority of the second-half waving instructions from the sidelines — and Soares admitted his attitude helped inspire the team to success.
The Saints ace added: "Yes, he had fantastic words for each player in each moment of the game — I'm really, really happy to be part of this group and be champion."
Portugal had never won a major trophy before and came into the final with France as second favourites.
Their task was made even harder with Ronaldo’s enforced substitution in the first-half.
However, the players rallied and eventually won the tournament through Eder’s 109th minute winner.