Portugal striker Eder, who scored the only goal in the Euro 2016 final during extra time, is the pride of Guinea-Bissau, his home country. He is especially proud of his family, which does not hide its joy.
Eder, whose real name is Antonio Macedo Lopez, entered the history of European football last Sunday by scoring against France (in the 109th minute) the goal that made Portugal the champion of the fifteenth edition of the Euro. According to his family and those close to him, he is the pride of Africa and his country in particular.
“Today Eder has entered the history of European football through the front door. He is the pride of our family, our country and the whole of Africa,” said Valene Lopez, the footballer’s younger sister, who lives in the capital of Guinea-Bissau.
She proudly displays childhood photos of the Portuguese striker, nicknamed Edirzenho, which means little Eder in Portuguese Creole.
Unfortunately, Eder does not know his country of origin, which he left when he was four years old to join his father in Portugal. Eder wanted to try his hand at football there, according to his grandmother Ricardina de Carvalho Lopez, who tells the story of her grandson. Today, part of his family, including the player's father and mother, still live in Lisbon.
“I haven't seen him since then, but we communicate a lot on the phone. He called us the day before the final and asked us to pray for him. God Almighty answered our prayers. He was the one who gave the cup to Portugal,” the 78-year-old said. “.
Portugal's victory was celebrated on Sunday in Bissau, where hundreds of young people took to the streets waving Portuguese flags after the final whistle. An impromptu concert was held in front of the Eder family home, on the road leading to the airport.
