The Euro 2016 hero states with conviction that the players chosen by Roberto Martinez will go far in the final phase of the competition.
“It’s true: we haven’t managed to qualify for the World Cup yet, but there’s one more game coming up and, in principle, on Sunday, at Dragão, we’ll close the score. I think we’ll do it. We’ve had a very good campaign: we won the Nations League and we have players who have stood out in the big European teams. The coach has managed well and left us with ‘mouth watering’. I think that in the next game we will qualify, at home, in front of an audience that was looking forward to more games in the World Cup. Norte. I think it will be a fantastic moment”, the former national team star told DN.
Expectations regarding Portuguese participation in the next World Cup are high, even though the latest results have not been the best. The former Portuguese international believes that it is possible to reach the highest title in international football. He confesses that it is a dream, combined with the strong conviction that individual and collective qualities will be able to win another trophy.
“Why not? It is possible for us to be World Champions. After the European title we won two Nations Leagues and we have seen players developing very well. The formation continues to do an excellent job. We have an increasingly capable range of players: young people who start playing for big clubs very early. We have players who are among the best in the world. And there is also a new generation that can continue to bring us joy. In the past this was not so visible: the younger players had less space. Today it is different. That spirit, that combativeness and these young people have brought very positive things, and have fit in very well with the national team”, he continued.
Eder admits that he can watch the national team’s games in a more calm way, compared to the time when he was active. He confesses that he is more exuberant when he watches football with his children. And he even feels some embarrassment whenever his children recover the images of the historic goal that gave Portugal victory in the 2016 final against France.
“They watch the European’s videos and celebrate as if it had happened yesterday. It’s very funny. In fact, one of my sons wanted to have a birthday party with the theme of my goal. I didn’t want to, I immediately said no… but my wife convinced me. And it was important, because I see their pride in their father. Even though at first I didn’t find the theme very funny, in the end I was happy to see how much it meant to him.”
Eder misses his playing days. Not so much the moments that catapulted him to stardom, but the atmosphere in the locker room. His eyes shine when he remembers his career:“I miss it a lot, of course. What I keep and what I want to pass on to my children is the importance of setting goals, not giving up and always wanting more. Even if they don’t become professional players, they can take these lessons into life and the professions they may have. Sport is a great vehicle for gaining important tools and applying them in other areas.”