Portuguese “Ugly Duckling”, Eder Becomes Beautiful Post Euro Goal

Football threw up another unlikely hero on Sunday when journeyman professional Ederzito Antonio Macedo Lopes, better known as Eder scored the goal during extra time that won Euro 2016 for Portugal.

Coach Fernando Santos said the “ugly duckling has become beautiful” after Eder, jeered by Portugal fans during a game in March, fired in a long-range goal 11 minutes from the end of extra-time to give Portugal an unexpected 1-0 win.

I felt that Fernando Santos knows about my qualities ever since the day the squad was named. He put his confidence in me and today, I paid him back. I’m very happy.

Eder, French Forward 

Cristiano Ronaldo has dominated the Portuguese team for the last decade but, after the three-times world player of the year limped off injured, it was the 28-year-old Eder, born in Guinea-Bissau, who stole the headlines.

What’s the Back Story?

Born in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, Éder moved to Portugal at a young age. As an 11-year old, he started playing football with Associação Desportiva e Cultural da Adémia in the Coimbra District.

After starting his career with third tier side Tourizense, he moved on to Academica Coimbra for four seasons before spending three seasons with slightly less unfashionable Braga.

He made his international debut against Azerbaijan in 2014 but since then has only been a fringe player.

Having never played for any of the big three clubs in his homeland, Eder is one of five members of the Portuguese squad who were born outside Europe along with Danilo (Guinea Bissau), Pepe (Brazil), Nani (Cape Verde) and William Carvalho (Angola).

The French forward played 13 games for English Premier League Swansea City without scoring a goal last season before being loaned to French club Lille.

Eder’s presence in the 23-man squad was doubtful until the very last minute and his goal on Sunday was only his fourth in 29 international appearances.

Eder was brought on the 79th minute of Sunday’s game after Santos decided he needed a more physical presence in attack.

I understood that Eder was the player who had to come on to hold up the ball in attack and create problems for France in the air.

Fernando Santos, Portuguese Football Coach

He added:

When he went on, he said he would score the goal, and he did. He deserves congratulations. The ugly duckling turned into a beautiful one.

(With inputs from Reuters.)