Charlie Nicholas picks his best XI from Portugal and France ahead of Euro 2016 final

Charlie Nicholas has picked his best combined XI from Portugal and France ahead of Sunday's Euro 2016 final in Paris, and rates the likely starting line-ups.

Both sides have relied on their star men throughout the tournament, with Antoine Griezmann leading the Golden Boot race with six goals and two assists while Cristiano Ronaldo has three goals and three assists to his name.


However, Nicholas insists that it has been team efforts from both nations that has guided them to Sunday's showpiece, struggling to pick out a weak link from either side.


Here's who makes his best XI:

 

 

Charlie Nicholas gives his combined XI ahead of the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France

The Sky Sports pundit has also picked who he thinks will start at the Stade de France this weekend, and rates each player's performance at the tournament so far...

Portugal

Rui Patricio (8) - He's been steady and the thing that has impressed me the most is he doesn't flap at crosses. There's a lot of good shot stoppers out there but he has also been a great decision maker.
Pepe (7) - He's been more disciplined in this side. He frustrates the life out of me most of the time but playing for his country seems to have made him cut out the nonsense. He's a certainly to start and a certainty to be booked because he always seems to get caught up in the situation.

 

 

Pepe's theatrics have been put on ice when playing for his country, says Nicholas

Jose Fonte (8) - I was surprised when Ricardo Carvalho started ahead of him in the group stages because he's been brilliant for Southampton. He's a natural leader that has perhaps calmed Pepe down a bit and is a strong physical presence who will be perfectly suit to marking Olivier Giroud.
Cedric Soares (7) - He's a another steady performer without doing anything dramatic. He's comfortable on the ball and knows his role in the team.
Raphael Guerreiro (8) - He's one that has caught my attention. I like his energy and he is a real modern sort of full-back with the way he gets forward and is comfortable on the ball.


William Carvalho (8) - People have been talking about him for a long time and I would like to see him in the Premier League, although he'll command a big fee. He's not got the physical presence of France's central-midfielders but is very controlled and should certainly start ahead of Danilo.
Renato Sanches (9) - I was surprised he went to Bayern Munich at such a young age but he's obviously keen to keep learning. He's obviously got a lot of energy and for a young man there's a confidence in him. He just gets a nine from me and has been Portugal's best player.

Renato Sanches has been Portugal's best player of Euro 2016 says Nicholas

Joao Mario (7) - He puts in real graft for the team, wins the ball and feeds the more creative players. He is another steady player that helps make this team tick. I nearly went for an eight but I'd like to see a bit more quality from him on the ball.
Adrien Silva (7) - Another player that is an industrious cog in this team. Like a few of the other players, he's not a name that will jump out at most people because this supporting cast haven't really established themselves as stars.
Nani (9) - He's been freed up to express himself in this team with a really solid midfield behind him and has really impressed me. He's obviously got bundles of ability and can still play at the top level. Fenerbahce might kick themselves for not holding off for a bit longer to find a bigger suitor than Valencia.

Nicholas has been impressed by Nani during the tournament so far

Cristiano Ronaldo (9) - It's not been the essence of brilliance from him but all he needs is one cross or one touch to change a game. He's always been challenged and people always seem to want him to fail. I've never been his biggest fan but he's an absolute goal machine. As Germany found out, if you don't have that man capable of putting the ball in the net, you're not a great team.

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