Cristiano Ronaldo says Pepe was Euro 2016's best player

 

Ronaldo was part of the Euro 2016 Team of the Year but feels teammate Pepe was the best player of the tournament

Cristiano Ronaldo believes Portugal and Real Madrid team-mate Pepe and not Antoine Griezmann should have been named the Euro 2016’s Player of the Tournament.

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann hit the back of the net 6 times for France and also provided 2 assists to lead his side to the finals, a game they ultimately lost to Portugal.

Griezmann was the tournament’s highest scorer and bagged the Golden Boot award as well as being named the best player of the tournament.

Ronaldo though feels that teammate Pepe was more deserving of the award. The 33-year-old was one of Portugal’s best players and was a major reason they ended up winning the tournament. The defender helped galvanise the Portuguese side in the finals after the early loss of Ronaldo.

The Portugal captain was injured in the early stages of the first half, after a dangerous tackle from Dimitri Payet, and was forced off following which it was left to Pepe to marshal the troops.

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Pepe was one of four Portugal players named in the Team of the Tournament alongside goalkeeper Rui Patricio, left back Raphael Guerrero and Ronaldo himself. Griezmann meanwhile found himself in limited company with only Dimitri Payet the other Frenchman to make the cut.

Ronaldo voiced his opinion when he spoke to UEFA.com, saying “In my book, Pepe was extraordinary this year, It was possibly his best season.”

Pepe and Ronaldo embrace after their triumph at Euro 2016

He also felt that Pepe was Real Madrid’s best player in the Champions League. "He was undoubtedly Portugal's best player and one of Real Madrid's best players in the Champions League. "I'm delighted he was selected in the Team of the Tournament at the Euros – in my opinion Pepe was the best player at the Euros." he went on to add.

Pepe and Ronaldo were also part of Real Madrid’s team that overcame Griezmann’s Atletico Madrid in the finals of the Champions league.

The Portuguese ace is on a three-man shortlist for UEFA's Best Player in Europe award along with Antoine Griezmann and Real Madrid colleague Gareth Bale. The winner is set to be announced on Thursday and Ronaldo is widely expected to carry home the cherished prize.