Wolves' Ruben Vinagre’s a Euro champion – again
Wolves wing-back Ruben Vinagre will go into the new season as a double European champion after winning the Under 19 tournament with Portugal.
The 19-year-old featured in the dramatic final against Italy, which Portugal clinched in extra-time to win 4-3.
Portugal made history as they became the first nation to win the Under 19 crown two years after winning the Under 17 title – meaning the same generation of players, including Vinagre, won both titles.
And the teenager was pictured beaming to the camera with the trophy after the final.
He tweeted: “We’re HUGE!!!!! We’re PORTUGAL!!!! Follow bi-champions of Europe!!! Let’s go PORTUGAL!!”
Portugal scored the decisive goal in the 109th minute through substitute Pedro Correia, who had climbed off the bench eight minutes earlier.
Ruben Neves, Vinagre’s fellow countryman, was among those to congratulate him, tweeting: “Pride in you a special hug you @Rubenvinagrejr deserve.”
And Wolves also congratulated the youngster, tweeting: “”Big congratulations to @Rubenvinagrejr and @selecaoportugal U19s who are Euro U19 champions following a 4-3 victory over @azzurri in the final.”
Vinagre was snapped up on a permanent deal this summer by Wolves having impressed there on loan last season. The Wolves hierarchy see huge potential in him and as a result the club signed him for £2 million from Monaco.
Vinagre made 12 appearances in all competitions last season and scored one goal, in their 4-0 victory against Burton in September.
A clip of his skills went viral after beating Manchester City’s Kyle Walker during their League Cup fixture.
He is one of two teenagers in the senior squad to have won major titles with their countries; the other being Morgan Gibbs-White, 18, who won the Under 17 World Cup with England in October of last year.
Wolves play their final game of pre-season on Saturday where they host La Liga outfit Villarreal – nicknamed The Yellow Submarine – at Molineux.
