There’s something special about a nation winning their first-ever international honour.
The globe’s footballing heavyweights have tended to dominate World Cups and European Championships, but every so often, you’ll see a maiden triumph that will become a defining moment for that generation.
For Portugal, the Euro 2016 victory was one of those.
Nani on Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory
Former Manchester United winger Nani was a key part of Fernando Santos’ victorious squad, with his semi-final goal to put Portugal 2-0 up against Wales a pivotal moment for the team.
“I celebrated with so much emotion – representing Portugal is always special,” Nani tells FourFourTwo. “Scoring in a semi-final and helping the team reach the final was indescribable.
“Then, to be part of history when we lifted the trophy, that’s something I’ll never forget. We remember that triumph with pride, because it meant so much – for the team, the country and our careers.”
The final itself was something of an emotional rollercoaster, not least because a tearful Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off injured after just 25 minutes.
“A mixture of concern and frustration,” was Nani’s reaction to this early blow. “Cristiano was fundamental for us. His presence on the pitch gave us enormous security – he always kept opponents on edge.
“When he went off, we thought, ‘We’ve lost our best player, what’s going to happen now?’ But at the same time it also gave us strength. We came together even more as a team and fought for him.”
Nani ended his international career in 2017, having turned out 112 times for his country, fewer than only Ronaldo, Joao Moutinho, Pepe and Luis Figo. So what did that mean to him?
“A great deal,” he says. “The national team brings together great footballers, true stars, so being part of such an exclusive group was extraordinary.
"I’m extremely proud to have played a key role in winning the Euros, the most important trophy the team have won so far.
“It was a title that represented the history, effort and the dreams of an entire nation.”
