The life of a professional football player is naturally one of highs and lows. Experiencing a journey like no other, Ederzito António Macedo Lopes, otherwise known as Eder is a man of unmeasurable quality. Scoring the goal that won Portugal the 2016 European Championships, we find out what exactly that moment is like and how life changes after that. A man who came through an orphanage and reached a pinnacle of the game, it's a story of silver screen proportions.
To kick off with - how are you enjoying this Euros - is it nice to look on as a supporter in that sense?
Yeah it’s been nice to watch and enjoy it as a family at home. Obviously it would have been nice to have been there playing but I’m enjoying it in a different way. I’m seeing it from a different perspective.
Can you describe what watching major tournaments was like for you as a kid? What memories stand out?
It was amazing. We would always be watching the big players in awe of them playing for their countries. In Portugal, the whole country gets into the occasion and the big games. I would always look forward to watching those moments. I would always imagine myself, always dream about playing in those games myself as a kid. For me to go and be part of the national team, it was a personal massive achievement in my life.
In the UK, we get so into big tournaments - everyone is talking about it, people are watching in big crowds - is it the same in Portugal?
Always. I remember in school how everyone would be talking about the tournaments, everybody was excited to watch the games. On the streets people would get together to watch the games. People will gather in cafes and places like that. It’s so special how it brings people together. The fact that tournaments are always in summer for us too is amazing. Sometimes people put a big TV outside and people just gather round each other's houses and get together to watch the games - there’s so much excitement.
Talk us through your childhood and your mentality - who around you shaped your character?
The experience I went through was unique. It’s the whole experience that shaped me. I grew up in an orphanage with other kids. I didn’t have my parents around me. I had an opportunity to go on holiday and see my family but I grew up with a lot of other kids in an orphanage. It was like that for 10 years for me. I was with kids, all who were in the same situation. That made me create some kind of level of ambition. It made me want to strive to grow up as strong as possible and gave me ambition like nothing else could.
From a difficult childhood to getting to the level you have and the achievements along the way - you’ve got to be so proud of what you’ve done and also the message that sends out to other kids who may be in that position right now?
I am proud. It’s only now that I’ve started to look back but it is quite a lot to take in. It was a difficult journey and the message is there for the kids - you can achieve anything if you keep striving and working hard. You have to keep believing because anything really is possible. I went through some very tough periods but I will always try and come through situations in a positive way. I’m here and I’m proud of everything I’ve done.
Incredible highs, lows and challenges like no other - your life is like a movie…
[laughs] Looking back now, I guess so yeah. There’s definitely parts that could be made into a movie. You could say that…
As well as rising as a player, your style has evolved and you come across as a creative person away from football - where did your tastes come from and how have they developed over the years?
When I was growing up, I remember my father being very influenced by American culture, rappers and the hip-hop scene and that kind of thing. That washed through to me as well so I definitely wore a lot of things from that world for a long time. I’d say that now I try to keep my style in a more simple way. I don’t like to show off too much. I enjoy the feeling of wearing a suit and looking smart. It all depends on my mood and my day but I’ll always express myself in that way. Now, I have two young kids so I often find myself in a tracksuit for convenience and comfort but I like to mix it up for sure.
Take us back to 2016, you wriggle away from Koscielny, there’s 108 minutes on the clock - what goes through your head before you shoot?
It makes me feel like I’ve given back. I remember when I came on the pitch, I was obviously excited to be there at that moment, playing in the final, but I kept thinking that I have an opportunity here, I have to help my team. Once that opportunity came and I had the ball in the right position, and as soon as I saw that good window, I took that moment. I took the shot and after that it was incredible. I saw the ball go past the goalkeeper and hit the back of the net and it was the most unbelievable moment. I would describe it as my soul being out of my body. It was a moment with so many incredible emotions.
What was it like to watch the ball after it left your foot? Could you see your dreams were about to come true?
Yeah absolutely. Everything obviously is moving quickly but for me it didn’t feel like that - watching the ball after it left my foot, it felt like time stood still. I remember in my head saying “just hit the net, just hit the net”. It was so amazing. I just wanted the referee to blow the whistle at that point - all that time after the goal in that game, it felt so long - we just wanted to be champions.
The celebrations after the goal and at the full-time whistle. So much emotion - can you describe that feeling now you look back?
It was unbelievable. When the ball hit the net, all my teammates were on the pitch. I was trying to run to the sidelines to celebrate with them all but there were so many players falling to the floor almost exploding with happiness, it was a remarkable moment. It was so amazing. After that you see all the other players, all the coaches at that moment, so happy. You see Cristiano going crazy, cheering us with every touch of the ball. When the game kicked back off after the goal, I remember feeling like “this game has to end now”, there was so much adrenaline. We became anxious because we just wanted to win so much.
Can’t not mention being led by Ronaldo. You arguably gave him a dream he had been wanting his whole life - to win something with Portugal - can you remember what his reaction was like to you after the game?
Yeah, even today I’ve seen some images of us talking on the pitch when the game ended. I remember in extra time we were talking and he was saying some positive things trying to give us some confidence and to drive us to the win. After the game, he came into the dressing room and said to us all that we did an amazing job, he was proud of us and that that title was the most important of his career. To see someone like Cristiano there, who has won everything, telling us just how important that trophy was to him, it was incredible. It was another thing that made it such a special moment. He’s been in the national team for so many years and it’s what he wanted to achieve more than anything. He was hugely emotional - it was beautiful. He definitely showed us just how proud of us he was.
What was the after party like? Can you paint the picture for us? Who had the best time?
The celebrations never stopped. From the bus after the game, I remember we were having a beatbox competition, all this crazy stuff going on because we were all just so excited. There were rap battles going off between Nani and Renato Sanchez… then we got back to our base in France and the supporters were crazy. There were fans everywhere, flags everywhere - so much singing - everyone was full of joy. The next day we flew back to Portugal and the streets were full. Arriving at the airport it was full of people - everywhere we went, there were people celebrating. It was so beautiful to see.
At that moment, when you score or perhaps when you return to Portugal... your life changes forever - surely? Is that the case?
It did. Especially those days soon after we won. Everyone was trying to reach me and get hold of me. People were on the streets waiting for me. I couldn’t go outside as there were people waiting for me - they just wanted to say thank you which was incredible but there were honestly so many that I couldn’t even move. People would be telling me how they watched the game, how they celebrated and I heard thousands of stories about what their day looked like when we won. It definitely changed my life. Once I stepped outside, I was shown so much love.
Surely you’ll never have to buy a drink or a meal in Portugal ever again?
[Laughs] Yeah...I try and pay. I do get offered a lot and get treated so well when I go to restaurants because of what we did that night. I remember once I called a restaurant where I wanted to go to dinner but it was fully booked. Then on social media it got out that I couldn’t get into this restaurant. All of a sudden all these people were saying “how is it possible you cannot find a table for Eder”, it’s funny to see those things. I’m not an ego person, I find it all funny. I’m a very real person so to have all this excitement around what we did that night really is incredible.
You’re part of history in such a special way. That must feel good? Not many people can enter the history books in the way you have and leave that legacy…
Yeah I mean for me and all that I have been through, it’s amazing to achieve what I have. It will be in my memory and so many others memories. It’s something I have to be proud of. It’s a little piece of history in my football career.
Was it hard to adjust to normality in the months after that because it must be the highest of highs?
Yeah it was special but strange because people start to look at you differently after that moment. For example, at that time my club team was in France. Because we beat France in that final, it was actually pretty tough to go back to France. A lot of people weren’t happy with me for scoring that goal and emotionally bruised from it. Any friendliness towards me was gone. The supporters didn’t like me any more. It was hard for fans to understand that I was playing for my country and that with my country I want to win. It wasn’t personal from me, I just wanted to win but it broke a lot of French hearts, that goal. For me to try and get my head around that, it was so strange. Also in training, now you have this tag of being a European Championship winner. I remember teammates giving me a shit pass on purpose and saying “you’re a title winner, you should be able to handle that” - it was a weird experience. I didn’t expect that. You have to learn quickly in that moment.
Did it move you into a new chapter in your life too then? Did you have to grow up once more in a different way?
Definitely. I had to keep my feet on the ground more than ever. I soon realised that it doesn’t matter how others see you. What matters is what’s in your head and who you are and what you are going to do next. It kept my feet on the ground - I think if you start to lift off the ground in that moment you would go crazy. It’s so much emotion for any player to take on, it’s beautiful but you have to handle it the right way.
From there, your move to Russia - more success and trophies along the way. How would you describe it?
It has been a great experience and it did let me escape that time in France where I didn’t have all that many fans any more because of the final. It wasn’t a friendly atmosphere any more. I also wanted to explore and experience new things. It was great on that level. Football has been full of ups and downs. We’ve won some titles - I scored another winning goal to get us a title. Picking up some trophies in Russia has been a real high.
You’ve not just proved doubters wrong but circumstances too. Do you feel like you’re now in a position to lead the next generation and be a support for the next wave breaking through?
Yeah of course. There’s a lot going on in football right now. From social media and addressing the fact that football players are human beings doing a job ultimately. We need to show people that we are real, we all just want to achieve our dreams like anyone else does. There’s lots of ups and downs and to be able to pass on a message of support is definitely something I want to give back. I want to be that support for others who may go through what I have. I also want to pass on a message to the younger generation about how important belief really is. They have to stay strong and believe in themselves. It’s a cliche but it’s true, it’s real - you can achieve dreams. Today something may not go well but tomorrow, everything is possible.
Where next and how do you set out your aspirations looking forward?
I’ve still got a lot to give and I’m in good shape. I’m excited and ready for a new chapter. I’d like to experience something new and add to my life experiences. I want to keep achieving titles - winning hasn’t left me - that’s still so important. If I can enjoy a new challenge at the same time and gain new memories, that would be what I’m looking for. I feel in good shape and a good place mentality.
You’ve explored various places on the planet through football - are their countries you’ve not played in that you’d like to experience?
With football you can experience so much - from Turkey to the middle-east or even American and the MLS - there’s so many cultural journeys you can explore. I would like to play somewhere I haven’t. I’ve accumulated a lot of experience over the years and can adapt to any condition. I’d like to go somewhere with nice weather and nice pitches.
You can follow the journey of Eder on Instagram here.
Photography by Cheyenne Dekeyser
