Ricardo Quaresma has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo after the support the superstar gave his teammates in the final of Euro 2016, saying the Real Madrid man is the only person he admires in the game.
Quaresma came off the bench in place of Ronaldo in Sunday’s final, replacing the captain on 25 minutes after he suffered an injury following a Dimitri Payet tackle.
The 31-year-old tried to continue, leaving the field twice for treatment, but ultimately had to be stretchered off, tears visibly streaming down his face.
Ronaldo returned to the sidelines, though, and played a cheerleader’s role for his teammates on the touch-line as they bested France 1-0 in extra time.
Quaresma has praised the support and leadership of his international teammate following his removal from the game and says Ronaldo is the only person he admires in football because of that passion.
The Besiktas winger told O Jogo: “Even with the injury [Ronaldo] never stopped, he always supported the team and that’s why I say, not just as a friend, that he is the only person I admire in football. I admire the strength he has
“We have a great captain, it is an honour to play alongside him and have him in the national team and all Portuguese people should be proud to have Cristiano.
“[His critics] speak of him and do not know him as a person. He is a great person, a great captain and he deserves everything he has achieved in football. He always has confidence and is positive and that’s what he gave us.”
Ronaldo scored three goals in his seven outings at Euro 2016, helping his nation to claim their first ever piece of international silverware, despite only winning one match in 90 minutes at the tournament.
The trophy ends a terrific campaign for the winger, who also won the Champions League with Real and scored 35 goals in 36 La Liga outings for the Spanish giants.
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