Nani backs Cristiano Ronaldo to lead Portugal to Euro 2016 success

Nani has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to fire Portugal into the latter stages of Euro 2016 ahead of their last 16 clash with Croatia.

After a slow start to the tournament, Ronaldo found his scoring touch with two goals in a 3-3 draw with Hungary to secure a place in the last 16 against Croatia.

The Real Madrid star has been embroiled in controversy off the field after being filmed throwing a reporter's microphone into a lake and accusing Iceland of having a "small mentality" following their 1-1 draw earlier in Portugal's opening game.

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But Nani believes his brace against Hungary has boosted Ronaldo's confidence and expects his compatriot to find the net again when Portugal take on Croatia in Lens on Saturday night.

"Everyone knows Cristiano and what he can do at any time, in any minute in a game. I am 100 per cent sure he will go on and score more goals now," Nani told reporters in France.

"No one can say anything against him. He is a fantastic player. He showed it again against Hungary when everyone was talking about him - he has shut them all up now.

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"I think Cristiano (Ronaldo) has always been there, always playing well for us throughout the tournament."

Portugal failed to win any of their three games en route to a third-place finish in Group F behind Hungary and Iceland but Nani insists the belief in the squad is still high.

"Any team we play, we must believe we can win so it doesn't matter who we will face now," he added.

"It will be difficult against Croatia. They have one day more than us to rest but we are professional, so we will get a quick rest and prepare for the game."