This will go down as one of the most unintelligent and uninformed sport articles of all time.
โLeave Jude at homeโโ.
You must be very mad to even think it.
Sir Jude Victor William Bellingham.
An exceptional footballer extraordinaire.
10 years ago today, I was watching the Euro Cup final at a mall in Portugal. A lady literally passed out & had to be escorted out by ambulance after Ronaldo went off injured. & no one batted an eye at her because of the suspense of the game.
It was one of the most grueling 90 minutes, and somehow everyone in the room kept faith that we could somehow pull it off in extra time.
Someone at the front of the crowd began celebrating like a lunatic after looking at a notification on their phone, and everyone else was looking around confused asf. Until out of nowhere, Sรฃo Eder takes a shot that changed the fate of our nation.
Tables were flipped, tears were shed, and it was the single best moment of my life.
I donโt think anybody slept that night. Horns honking until 3-4am. All eagerly awaiting getting to Lisboa to receive the players. & receive the players we did.
I still have never felt a high like I did that day, and I am so grateful to be Portuguese in the generation where we brought home our first trophy. Nobody can quite understands what that trophy means to us besides the Portuguese community.
On August 21, Iโll conclude my 12-year tenure as Chairman of UBA; upon the completion of the maximum 12-year tenure prescribed for Non-Executive Directors of Banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
After Portugal shockingly loss the Euro 2004 final to Greece....
It became a dream for Cristiano Ronaldo to win a trophy for Portugal
He was bent on at least winning a title for Portugal
The journey started at the 2006 FIFA World Cup but Portugal finished fourth
The year 2006 also signaled the end of the 'Luis Figo golden generation'
The search for a first ever title for Portugal continued at the 2008 Euros, yet again, Portugal fell short at the quarterfinal
FIFA 2010 World Cup was worse, Portugal crashed in the second round to Spain
Euro 2012 offered another opportunity. Portugal lost out to Spain on penalties
At that time, it became increasingly difficult for Ronaldo to win anything with Portugal
The 2014 FIFA World Cup was a huge disappointment, Portugal didn't even get out of the group stage
By 2014, CR7 had carried a injury that will slow down his pace for four years
Now, that more trouble Portugal but he will still show up and kept the dream alive
Euro 2016, against all odds was when the glory final came
With the Euros expanded to 24 teams, Portugal finished third in thier group and qualified as best losers
The Selecao knocked out Croatia and Poland in the second round and quarter final respectively
In the penalty shootout against Poland, Joao Moutinho who had missed the fourth penalty against Spain in the semis at Euro 2012 was scared to play a penalty kick
Ronaldo encouraged him and said;
"Joao, Joao. Come take it, come take it. You take it well
"If we lose, so be it. Show personality. Go"
Moutinho got motivated and scored
Up next was Wales in the semis. Ronaldo with his trademark jump and thumping header set them on course before Nani scored a second to take Portugal to the final
Waiting for Portugal in the final was the host France
Psychology sets in, France had beaten Portugal in the semis at Euro 2000 and 2026 FIFA World Cup respectively
In front of their home fans, Portugal had no chance
To make the matter worse, Dimitri Payet collided into Ronaldo's knee early in the first half, and he has to be substituted before the 20th minute
Portugal will have to play the entire final without their talismanic captain
It felt like their back was against the wall, but they fought like lions that had nothing to loose
The Portuguese players were dying on the pitch and held France to a goalless draw in 90 minutes
Up next is extra time but can they hold on against a rampaging French team
In the first half of extra time, the magic goal came from the foot of an unlikely source - his name Eder
Strong and powerful, he fought his way off two defenders before unleashing a 25 yards drive into the net in the 110th minute
France has been stunned and the next 10 minutes was the greatest battle for the Portuguese
William Cavalho was screening well, Pepe bled and put his body on the line, Jose Fonte brought in the sliding tackles, Rui Patricio made unbelievable saves
120 minutes, the French team couldn't get an equalizer and game over
Portugal became European Champions
A first ever senior title in Portuguese history
A dream that looked impossible has been achieved, Ronaldo had his dream materialize
After Euros, CR7 thanked everyone.
From the coaching crew to the players to the drivers even to the cleaners for the great achievement
2016 was that year
European Championship was the trophy
It was the biggest achievement in Portugal's history
Whatever the conspiracy theories around their kidnap or their release, the important fact is that they're back home with their families.
It breaks my heart that the family of the Maths teacher do not have the same testimony.
GOOD NEWS:
All the Oyo abducted children and their teachers have now been freed and released.
This is really good-news.
May God console and comfort their families.