Cristiano Ronaldo will feed off the occasion of taking on Euro 2016 hosts France in the European Championship final on Sunday, according to Rio Ferdinand.
Ronaldo won three Premier League titles and the Champions League alongside Ferdinand during six seasons together as teammates at Manchester United, and the former defender insists it is the big occasions that bring out the best in the Portugal captain.
"Everyone in the country will be against him, but he will thrive off that hostility, and off their fear," Ferdinand told BBC Sport.
"The French know Cristiano is the player capable of destroying their dream because he has produced magic moments in huge matches right through his career.
"Part of the reason he is a superstar is because he is not fazed by the big occasion -- quite the opposite in fact.
"Superstars like him relish these situations -- the pressure that goes with it brings the best out of him, when other players falter."
Ronaldo is now 31 and Ferdinand reckons this could be his last opportunity to win silverware in a Portugal shirt.
He was part of the team that lost the Euro 2004 final to Greece but hasn't returned to a major international final since.
"I think he is very aware this is his last opportunity to win something with his country and, knowing him like I do, that makes him even more dangerous. He will be so desperate not to miss out again," Ferdinand added.
"Cristiano has produced great performances for Portugal when it matters before, for example his hat trick against Sweden in the playoff for the 2014 World Cup.
"So France will know that it is not just in a Real Madrid or Manchester United shirt that he is capable of great things, especially because it was his moment of brilliance that helped decide Portugal's semifinal against Wales."
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