Portugal’s Euro 2016 hero Eder went from scoring in the final to free agent after carrying trophy onto Wembley pitch

IN the summer of 2016, Eder was a national hero in Portugal after coming off the bench to net his side’s winner in extra-time in the final of the European Championship.

The striker, now 35, climbed off the bench to replace Renato Sanches late in the 90 minutes at the Stade de France.

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Eder was Portugal’s hero at Euro 2016 as he scored the extra-time winner in the final[/caption]

Getty

Eder trudged around the Wembley pitch parading the Euro 2020 trophy ahead of England’s penalty shootout defeat to Italy[/caption]

With Cristiano Ronaldo off the pitch after picking up an injury, Eder took his chance to be the hero by scoring in the 109th minute to give Portugal a sensational win and break the hearts of French fans.

But now, seven years on, Eder has all but been forgotten – only popping into fans’ heads after carrying the Euro 2020 trophy around Wembley ahead of kick-off England’s final against Italy.

Many viewers noticed the forward looked stony-faced bordering on miserable.

But for Eder, the trudge around the pitch in front of 65,000 fans may have reminded him just how far he’s fallen.

We take a look at just what happened to the striker since that iconic night in 2016.

A year prior to the tournament, Eder joined then-Premier League side Swansea in a £5million deal from Portuguese giants Braga.

But after failing to score in his first 15 games, the striker was loaned to Ligue 1 side Lille for the remainder of the season.

Eder scored six times in 13 games to squeeze his way into the Portugal squad alongside Ronaldo, Nani, Sanches and Co.

But the forward stayed at Lokomotiv until the summer of 2021, scoring just two in 26 games. That added to a measly 15 in 119 matches for the Russians.

Ronaldo and Nani had been the main men throughout the tournament, with three goals apiece as they beat Poland and Wales in the knockout stages to reach the final against France.

Chasing the win, Eder was brought on to replace Sanches – who was enjoying a breakout career moment at the tournament – with ten minutes left in the 90.

Incredibly, the striker grabbed his first and only goal of the tournament with just 11 minutes of extra-time to play.

And with France unable to find a way back into the game, Portugal were crowned champions.

Lille signed the striker permanently that summer, hoping for more heroics.

But after just six goals in 31 Ligue 1 games, he was loaned to Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow, before joining permanently a year later.

Despite being his nation’s Euro 2016 hero, Eder failed to receive a call-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia – where he’d spent the last year playing club football.

Most recently, Eder played in Saudi Arabia for Al Raed FC on a short-term deal in 2022.

But, for now, he is a free agent.

He’ll be desperate to prove he still has something to offer.

Eder’s appearance at Wembley may have reminded a few bosses of his availability.

But his stint in the wilderness is still in its early days for now.

33-year-old Daniel Sturridge is also in no man’s land, out of contract and a free agent – with a belief he still has plenty to give.

Eder will hope he won’t be kept waiting that long, himself.

Getty Images - Getty

Eder’s 109th-minute goal sparked wild celebrations on the pitch as Portugal edged past France[/caption]

AFP

Eder spent four seasons at Lokomotiv Moscow – including his loan spell from Lille – and has been a free agent since a spell in Saudi Arabia[/caption]