The captain was forced from the field with a knee injury in the first half but returned to the touchline to watch Eder's dramatic late winner
The captain was left in tears as he left the final on a stretcher just 24 minutes into the game after suffering a knee injury.
But he later returned to the touchline to encourage his team-mates through the rest of the match, as they stunned host nation France with Eder's late goal to claim the trophy.
And Ronaldo posted pictures on his social media accounts this morning as he and his teammates head home to Lisbon and what are expected to be spectacular scenes.
Speaking after the game on Sunday evening Ronaldo revealed just how much finally achieving success with his national team meant to him.
"No one believed in us," he said. "I had already won everything with clubs. I lacked something with the national team. Portugal have deserved this after many years of sacrifice
"It was not the final I wanted, but I am very happy. It is a trophy for all the Portuguese, for all immigrants, all the people who believed in us, so I am very happy and very proud."
Ronaldo kicked every ball on the sidelines, standing alongside manager Fernando Santos.
And he was again in tears when Mark Clattenburg blew the final whistle and he celebrated with his team-mates.
His knee injury appeared to be forgotten as he joined the rest of the squad on the pitch - where he soon removed his shirt - as the party began.
But it could have been so much different for Ronaldo after a collision with France's Dimitri Payet early in the match.
Ronaldo received initial treatment on his knee and tried to battle on through the pain to complete the match.
But after five minutes, he fell to the ground in tears as he realised that his dream of leading Portugal to Euros glory could have been over.
However, Ronaldo was not substituted and returned to the action with supportive bandaging around his leg.
But despite the medical team's best efforts, it was not enough to prevent the pain and he slammed down his armband as Clattenburg called for a stretcher.
The Real Madrid winger held his head in his hands as he was carried off the Stade de France pitch.
This time he was replaced, as Ricardo Queresma took his spot on the left-hand side of the attack while Nani took the captain's armband.
It is the first time that Ronaldo has been substituted at a major international tournament since the 2006 World Cup.
But Portugal proved that they were not a one-man team as they battled to claim the trophy with the 1-0 win.
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