Hard-working Fonte focused on Croatia

For José Fonte, the road to UEFA EURO 2016 has been a long one – and, as Portugal prepare to face Croatia in Lens this evening, the adventure is far from over.

Almost a decade ago, the centre-back left his native Portugal for pastures new in England's lower divisions. An initial spell with Crystal Palace was followed by a stint in the third tier with Southampton, where he achieved back-to-back promotions to the Premier League and is now club captain.

• Follow the build-up live from Lens on EURO2016.com
• Preview: Croatia v Portugal
• Croatia v Portugal background

"I feel very proud. I really know how much I've had to work and fight to get here; I've always had to do that," he told EURO2016.com. That hard work and commitment brought him his first Portugal call-up at the age of 30 in October 2014, and now Fonte is cherishing every moment as he makes up for lost time.

"It's a journey that makes me very proud because it meant, above all, a lot of work and sacrifice," said the former Felgueiras and Vitória Setúbal defender, who was once on the books of Sporting and Benfica. "But there's still a lot to achieve. That's what I work for every day.

"I have to achieve more and get better. I want to play in the UEFA Champions League. I want to win trophies and most of all I want to do so for Portugal."

After what the 32-year-old described as a "crazy, emotional game" against Hungary on Wednesday, the Selecção das Quinas are now intent on pipping Croatia to a spot in the quarter-finals.

Portugal in training ahead of their last-16 tie©AFP/Getty Images

Given the chaotic, topsy-turvy nature of their campaign, however, nobody is sure what to expect from Portugal. Yes, they have avoided the likes of England, Germany, Spain and hosts France in the draw – but, insists Fonte, they are not getting carried away.

"It's game by game. Now it's Croatia and we have to focus solely on them. We have the ability. We believe in ourselves, that we can go far. However, our attention must be on Croatia, which will be an extremely difficult match.

"They are a very tough team, with great individual players and teamwork. Both our coach and Cristiano Ronaldo have said it's going to be an even game and we need to prepare ourselves in the best way possible. We'll play as well as we can and try to win, which is the most important thing."

• Hungary 3-3 Portugal: two sides to the story
• Cristiano Ronaldo makes EURO goals history

Four years ago, Portugal were left heartbroken as Spain knocked them out in the semi-finals on penalties. Anxious to avoid a similar outcome, Fernando Santos's men have been intensely practising spot kicks.

"We have to be ready for all possibilities," Fonte added. "That's what I am trying to focus on, being ready so that, if the moment comes, we will be in the best possible position to take penalties."