PORTUGAL are training hard ahead of their Euro 2016 final showdown with hosts France on Sunday night.
With one game separating them and greatness, Rio Ferdinand has backed Cristiano Ronaldo, 31, to thrive in the role of ‘villain’ as Portugal aim to poop the hosts’ party.
Ronaldo’s former Manchester United team-mate Ferdinand said: “Everyone in the country will be against him, but he will thrive off that hostility, and off their fear.
“The French know Cristiano is the player capable of destroying their dream because he has produced magic moments in huge matches right through his career.
“Part of the reason he is a superstar is because he is not fazed by the big occasion – quite the opposite in fact.
“Superstars like him relish these situations – the pressure that goes with it brings the best out of him, when other players falter.”
On that final back in 2004, Ferdinand added: “He was only 19 then, so just a kid.
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“I remember his reaction but I think he was a bit too young to take it all in.
“At that age, you expect you will get back to another final soon to rectify what happened but he has had to wait 12 years for his chance.
“I think he is very aware this is his last opportunity to win something with his country and, knowing him like I do, that makes him even more dangerous.
“He will be so desperate not to miss out again.
“Cristiano has produced great performances for Portugal when it matters before, for example his hat-trick against Sweden in the play-off for the 2014 World Cup.
“So France will know that it is not just in a Real Madrid or Manchester United shirt that he is capable of great things, especially because it was his moment of brilliance that helped decide Portugal’s semi-final against Wales.”
Portugal initially struggled in the tournament, finishing third in Group F with three draws from their three games, behind Hungary and Iceland.
Ronaldo and Co snuck past his Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric’s Croatia 1-0, before scraping past Poland on penalties.
They beat Wales 2-0 in the semi-finals on Wednesday – thanks to goals from Ronaldo and another ex-United ace Nani.
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