Ronaldo: The dream is alive

  • Post published:July 7, 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo says Portugal never stopped believing despite his side starting Euro 2016 in indifferent form.

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After a cagey first 45 minutes, Portugal scored two goals in the space of three minutes to beat Wales and advance to the Euro 2016 final.

‘It’s what we have dreamt of since the beginning,’ Ronaldo said after scoring one goal and assisting another on Wednesday.

‘We knew it would be a long road and we’re still in the tournament. We have believed right from the start. We had difficult moments, but it’s like I always say: it’s better to start poorly and have a positive ending.

‘We haven’t won anything yet, but the dream is still alive.’

It is 12 years since Ronaldo left the pitch in tears after Portugal failed to beat Greece in the final of Euro 2014 but is looking forward to tears of joy on Sunday.

‘I hope that [after the final] we’ll be smiling and that it will be tears of joy this time. I’ve always said my dream was to win a trophy with Portugal. We’re closer to doing it and I believe that we’ll win. With a lot of work, humility and the spirit of self-sacrifice, which I have always shown in my career, these sorts of things are doable.’