STORY: Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes believes his side have what it takes to give Cristiano Ronaldo the parting gift he most desires after a storied career in football.
Ronaldo lifted the 2016 European Championship with Portugal but the selecao have since struggled in international tournaments with round of 16 exits at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, as well as a shock quarter-final exit at the hands of Morocco in Qatar two years ago.
At 39-years-old, Mendes acknowledged Ronaldo is likely playing in his last Euros with time finally catching up on the five-time Ballon d’Or winner who now plays his club football in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.
To advance in the tournament, Portugal must first get past World Cup finalists France who have flattered to deceive so far in Germany with their measly return of three goals coming from a penalty and two own-goals.
Portugal and France meet in the quarter-finals in Hamburg on Friday (July 5) in a replay of the 2016 final which Portugal won 1-0 on French soil.
(Production: Conal Quinn)
