Portugal is facing France in the European Championship final on Sunday. Here are five Portugal players to watch:
CRISTIANO RONAlDO
The most compelling character on the Stade de France stage.
Ronaldo had a difficult start to Euro 2016: He was uncomplimentary about crowd-favorite Iceland, missed a probable match-winning penalty against Austria, and was furious when Hungary took the lead for a third time in their 3-3 draw. The way he leapt high in the air to head the opening goal against Wales in the semifinals suggested Ronaldo is energized again.
PEPE
The love-him-or-hate-him Real Madrid defender had an excellent Euro 2016 until a thigh muscle injury kept him out of SF.
Pepe deserves a chance to play after being on his best behavior, and marshalling the defense through tightly-fought knockout games against Croatia and Poland.
JOSE FONTE
At age 32, defender Fonte is reaching a late-blooming career peak.
When Ronaldo and Pepe played at the 2010 World Cup, Fonte was preparing for another season in the third tier of English football with Southampton.
Since then, Fonte was central to Southampton’s rise to the Premier league’s top half.
RAPHAEl GUERREIRO
Guerreiro was born to Portuguese and French parents in the northeastern suburbs of Paris just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Stade de France. Guerreiro has been lively going forward and provided the cross for Ronaldo’s header against Wales.
ADRIEN SIlVA
Between the tough defense and the star attackers, Portugal has relied on a trio of Sporting lisbon midfielders to link play.