Raphael Guerreiro thanked the 68-year-old coach, whose departure was confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), for the fact that he launched his “confidence”.

“Mister Fernando Santos, thank you very much for everything. Thank you for the trust placed in me until today and for the opportunity to represent Portugal. The coach that launched me in 2014, allowed me to fulfil some of my dreams. A great man who will remain forever in the hearts of all Portuguese people”, wrote the Borussia Dortmund winger.

Quaresma, the 39-year-old winger who sealed the victory over Croatia, in the extra time of the round of 16 of Euro2016 (1-0), and used in the final of the competition, against France (1-0 after extra time), warned that “ criticizing is easy”, before writing that “faith and luck take a lot of work”, has proved crucial to winning that competition.

“Thank you 'mister', for making my childhood dream of one day becoming a European champion a reality for me and for all Portuguese people. (…) I hope he will always be an inspiration and a helmsman for the Portuguese who have dreams and are willing to fight for them. If so, throughout our history we will still lift many cups in life! Thank you”.

Right-back Cédric Soares, 31, thanked Fernando Santos for the titles won and the “memories” he left the team with, after eight years at the helm.

“Thank you for everything you gave to Portuguese football, for the memories, and for the titles, especially what we won together. I will never forget the road to the Euro 2016 title. He made us believe that we would be able to make history. I wish him the best in this new phase”, stressed the Arsenal player, in a publication on Instagram.