World

Portugal invites France fan, kid who consoled him to visit

Now Portugal’s tourist board has invited both the French supporter and his young guardian angel

Afp July 13, 2016

Portuguese tourism officials on Tuesday invited the France supporter who was consoled by a young Portugal fan following the hosts’ narrow Euro 2016 defeat in images that have taken the internet by storm. PHOTO: AFP

LISBON: Portuguese tourism officials on Tuesday invited the France supporter who was consoled by a young Portugal fan following the hosts’ narrow Euro 2016 defeat in images that have taken the internet by storm.

Video footage of the heartwarming moment when the boy offered kind words, a shoulder to cry on and a hug to the tearful France fan in a Paris fan zone has gone viral.

https://twitter.com/MOURlNHOED/status/752901576340213761

Now Portugal’s tourist board has invited both the French supporter and his young guardian angel — the son of Portuguese parents living in France — to visit the country that produced Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal beat France 1-0 in Euro 2016 final

“Tourism Portugal has launched an appeal to find the France supporter and invite him to visit Portugal,” the board said in a statement.

The actions of the boy, named Mathis, “communicated the intense emotions of the final and demonstrated the way to be friendly, tolerant and authentically Portuguese,” added the tourist board.

Ronaldo reduced to tears after injury heartbreak

Officials said they wanted the mystery France fan to “get to know Portugal and experience the authentic Portuguese welcome”.

An extra-time goal by Eder saw Portugal beat hosts France 1-0 in Sunday’s Euro 2016 final.