Ronaldo dreaming of EURO glory with Portugal

Twelve years on from their one previous final appearance, Portugal are back at the summit of European football – only this time the situation has been reversed.

Then, on home soil, they were left heartbroken as underdogs Greece stunned the world by winning UEFA EURO 2004. Now, at UEFA EURO 2016, the boot is on the other foot. Portugal, the unfancied outsiders that few expected to reach the final, are gearing up to take on the much-fancied hosts.

As one of only two surviving members from that campaign, Cristiano Ronaldo knows exactly how the French are feeling. "They are, in my opinion, favourites because they are playing at home and that's a big advantage," he told EURO2016.com.

"The whole country is going to support them, but it's a final and anything can happen. We're going to be prepared and we're going to be difficult to beat. Since the tournament started, nobody has beaten us, and I hope France aren't going to beat us either."

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Visibly relaxed ahead of Sunday's final, the 31-year-old speaks candidly at the French Rugby Federation's headquarters in Marcoussis, some 25km south of Paris. The leafy facility has been home to Ronaldo and Co for the last month and victory this weekend would be the perfect way to cap a wonderful sojourn where they have felt the warmth of the locals and France's large Portuguese diaspora.

"It's something that I always dreamed of," said Ronaldo. "It would be a huge achievement if I could win something with Portugal. My fingers are crossed because I believe, my colleagues believe, all of Portugal believes and the Portuguese community in France believe too.

"It's unique, a feeling of joy, because being in a final is something I wanted to achieve again. Now I will have the fortune, if everything goes well, to be playing on Sunday in a second final for Portugal."

Ronaldo was a fresh-faced 19-year-old embarking upon what would turn into one of the most glittering careers in football when he played in the 2004 decider. Many things have changed. His position, squad number (he wore 17) and playing style are different now, but a lot remains the same.

The cheeky grin, a penchant for the impossible and his diamond earrings have all served the test of time as he has gone on to win everything at club level and scoop every individual gong available. Indeed, there is just one piece of silverware missing from the Real Madrid forward's trophy cabinet: a major honour with Portugal.

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"In a final anything can happen. We know we will face a great opponent, a great national team, but it's a final and anything is possible. It's going to be a tough game for both of us."

This has been a record-breaking EURO for Ronaldo. He has become the only player to score in four editions of the UEFA European Championship, drawn level with Michel Platini's nine goals and broken the finals appearance record in addition to becoming the sole player to register in two semis.

"These things happen naturally," he explained. "I try not to be too obsessed with records. They happen. So it's nice but nothing more. I feel good, young, strong. So what I want most is to keep on being successful."

While this might not be the end for Ronaldo with Portugal, he will be 35 by the time UEFA EURO 2020 comes round and this could be his last shot at international glory. "We have to believe positively," he emphasised. "On Sunday it will be the first time that Portugal are going to win an important trophy."

The man himself is convinced their moment has arrived and though they may not like to admit it, the parallels between Greece then and Portugal now are numerous. History may well be about to repeat itself.