Euro 2016 Final Preview: Is it just Griezmann vs Ronaldo or much more?

When France take on Portugal in the Euro 2016 final on Sunday at Stade de France it will be more than two nations meeting on a football pitch It will also be two teams looking to create a legacy and make historyWhile one team wants to erase memories of an old Euro final the other wants to recreate a magical night from a past Euro finale on home soilBut for two players on opposing sides it will be something moreAntoine Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo are being cast as rival superheros ahead of the tournament finalRonaldo and Greizmann PicAFPStriker Griezmann is fast becoming a France legend after his two goals against Germany fired the hosts into Sundays Euro 2016 finalAmid the controversial absence of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema France have found a new hero in the diminutive striker With six goals already in his first European Championships Griezmann is only three short of equalling Platinis record of nine goals at the 1984 tournamentBut when the 25yearold Atletico Madrid forward takes the field on Sunday it will not be just to help France win but also to take revenge for the defeat inflicted by Real Madrid in the Champions League finalIn the Champions League final in May Griezmann missed a firsthalf penalty for Atletico City rivals Real capitalised to win their 11th European title in MilanThe French forward would be relishing this chance to rectify his mistake and deny Reals Ronaldo a chance to secure one of the few trophies he still lacks a major finals title with PortugalRonaldo and Lionel Messi have been chasing elusive international glory without success for a long time But it can change on Sunday if Ronaldoled Portugal go on and win Euro 2016 final in ParisWho is better Ronaldo or Messi Its an endless debate among fans of two greatest footballers in the planetBoth won almost everything there is to be won in club football but at the international level Messi and Ronaldo are yet to win a single trophyLast week Messi missed a penalty during a shootout in the Copa America final against Chile which was his fourth loss in international finals in Argentinan colours The failure to win finals prompted the great Messi to announce international retirementRonaldo on the other hand has had lesser success with only one final and two semifinals in Portugese jerseyHowever Ronaldo has the chance to achieve international glory perhaps his last chance as Portugal made it to the final of Euro 2016 and await the winner of France and GermanyIf Ronaldo delivers on Sunday to help Portugal lift the Euro 2016 cup he will finally accomplish his dream of winning a big tournament in national colours a feat that Messi may never achieve if the latter stays out of international football for goodPortugal and Ronaldo will also go into Sundays final seeking to erase their football nightmare of losing the Euro 2004 final on home ground to unheralded GreeceBut can he do itKEY PLAYERS FROM BOTH SIDESHere are some of the star performers from the two teams who will have to fire on sunday for their side to winGoalkeeper Hugo Lloris FranceHas conceded just four goals in six matches Was brilliant vs Germany in the semifinalDefender Bacary Sagna FranceHe has looked solid at the backDefender Pepe PortugalHe may be injured and Portugal will be hoping hes back to 100 per cent in the finalDefender Laurent Koscielny FranceHe has been very consistent at the heart of the French defenceDefender Patrice Evra FranceA very accomplished defender who has provided muchneeded leadership in this youthful teamMidfielder William Carvalho PortugalHes had an impressive tournament and will be important to Portugal if they want to control the midfield in the finalMidfielder Paul Pogba FranceHas been effective but not great Scored an excellent goal against Iceland in the quarterfinal and was good vs Germany in the semiMidfielder Renato Sanches PortugalHe has shined brightly at times But needs to be more controlledForward Dimitri Payet FranceWas superb in the group stages and has continued to impress especially with in combo with GreizmannStriker Antoine Griezmann FranceThe player of the tournament and the top scorer with six goals The dimunitive striker has inspired the team with brilliance He has been dubbed Grizou in FranceStriker Cristiano Ronaldo PortugalThe Portugal legend scored the most amazing backheel goal against Hungary shows his genius He has scored three goals in the tournament including the opener against Wales He has to inspire Portugal to a win on SundayRECENT RECORDFRANCE Last 20 matches 15 win 1 draw 4 loss Win rate75PORTUGAL Last 20 matches 10 win 5 draw 5 loss Win rate50HEADTOHEAD COMPARISIONThe two sides had met in the European Championships ndash in 1984 and 2000 Both these clashes were in the semifinals and both the editions saw France being crowned Champions Interestingly both the ties were won by France in the added extra time