Long, hard slog to Euro 半分s for Portugal's Fonte
By Brian Homewood
LYON, フラン, July 5 (Reuters) - It has been a long, hard slog to the European 選手権 半分-決勝戦 for Portugal defender Jose Fonte.
When his country reached the last four in 2012, the centre half had just helped Southampton 勝利，勝つ 昇進／宣伝 to the English 首相 League and the idea of playing international football was but a distant dream.
Fonte, who at one point spent a season in the English third tier, could not even remember where he was when his nation lost to Spain on 刑罰，罰則s four years ago, 説 he was "probably with my family in Portugal".
On Wednesday, he is likely to be in the 味方する that 直面するs むちの跡s with a good chance of reaching the final for the second time in 12 years.
"It's a story of work and sacrifice but also a 広大な／多数の／重要な 取引，協定 of pride," the 32-year-old told reporters on Tuesday.
Fonte was raised at 冒険的な Lisbon, the same club as Cristiano Ronaldo, although their careers have gone vastly different ways.
While Ronaldo has enjoyed fame and fortune at Real Madrid, Fonte has travelled from Felgueiras in the Portuguese second tier to Vitoria Setubal and then to Pacos de Ferreira, followed by three seasons in the English second 分割 with 水晶 Palace.
He dropped 負かす／撃墜する to the third tier to join Southampton and has been with them through their rise to the 最高の，を越す flight.
"I had to work very har d and I was 貸付金d from club to club, always trying to 改善する in different clubs, and getting to England was the best thing that happened to me," said Fonte. "I learned a lot as a person and player.
"I reached higher levels, I had more success, 昇進／宣伝s, then got to the 首相 League which helped me fulfil the biggest dream of all."
With Southampton doing 井戸／弁護士席 in the 最高の，を越す 分割, he 結局 got his chance with Portugal and made his debut two years ago.
"Playing for Portugal means the world to me," said Fonte. "I've always had the ambition and 願望（する） and belief I could get there.
"When I got to the 首相 League I thought I would be closer to my dream...fortunately we have been able to 進歩 at Southampton and that gave me the 適切な時期 to be selected. It's something I am proud of and will always 心にいだく."
Fonte 追加するd that Portugal have always believed they could reach the final.
"The coach (Fernando Santos) said it from the first day," he said. (Editing by Tony Jimenez)
