Quaresma replaced Ronaldo in the first half of the final against France after the captain suffered a knee injury.
The Real Madrid star re-emerged from the dressing room to encourage
his team-mates from the sidelines, however, and Eder’s goal in extra
time secured a 1-0 win and the trophy.
“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,” Quaresma told O Jogo. “I admire the strength he has.”
He added:
“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.”
