Euro 2016: Portugal striker Eder's father in prison for killing spouse

Eder grew up amongst hardships to emerge as the unlikely hero for his country

Eder,the Portuguese footballer, who right now probably has more adulation from his countrymen than Cristiano Ronaldo himself, opened up about his childhood in an interview to a Portuguese television channel. He told the world how his father is currently serving a 16-year long sentence in England on account of killing his step-mother.

The 28-year-old forward who plays for Lille came off the bench in extra time to score a goal for his side in the finals of the 2016 European Championship. The goal was enough to defeat the French on their own turf. 

Eder kickstarted his professional footballing career with Portuguese club Academica in 2008, "I came to Portugal with my mum from Guinea-Bissau when I was a child," he said. Asked about how often he met his father growing up, Eder replied, "From the moment I went to Academica and began to earn money, I could go to England to see him in jail. Every time I had a holiday, I would go to England to see him.”

When Eder came to Portugal from the West-African country of Guinea-Bissau, his father was already living there. There occurred a change in custody as he eventually went to live with his father after coming to Portugal.

Following the homicide of his step-mother and the imprisonment of his father, he was put into the Sunflower Care Home which is a state-run facility on the outskirts of Coimbra. Eder does not have fond recollections regarding his time there. "I was sad, I didn’t find it at all nice. I felt abandoned," he said.

He moved to Lille from Swansea after failing to make an impression during his time in the Premier League. Eder has often publicly referred to himself as “Mr International” owing to his mixed ethnicity and backgrounds. He says he has family everywhere. "I have a sister studying in Wolverhampton and I have another sister who has lived in England for a time,” he said. Apart from this, he also has a brother currently living in Portugal.

Eder's goal won the game for Portugal, making it the first trophy won by the team under the captaincy of Cristiano Ronaldo.