The captain of the Seleçao will play his sixth Euro in Germany. One more record for Cristiano Ronaldo who will be able to seek other records across the Rhine.
At 39, Cristiano Ronaldo is playing one of his last international competitions. And it begins with a meeting with the Czech Republic, at the end of the first day of the group stage of Euro 2024 this Tuesday (9 p.m.). The national team goal record holder will have one last chance to break records at the Euro. Since his home debut in 2004, the Portuguese has made the history of the competition by winning his first trophy with the Seleçao at Euro 2016. In Germany, he will take part in his sixth edition. A record ahead of Iker Casillas’ five. But the top scorer in Euro history (14 goals) might not stop there.
During the first match, against the Czech Republic, on Tuesday June 18, he will have the opportunity to overtake the Czech Karel Poborský, co-owner of the number of assists with six offerings. An achievable record for the Portuguese, best decisive passer in the history of the Champions League. However, he will be expected above all for his finishing qualities in front of goal. CR7 could become the oldest scorer in history if he scores during the tournament, surpassing the Austrian Ivica Vastic, scorer during Euro 2008, at the age of 38.
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A quadruplet and Michel Platini
However, he could also be overtaken by Pepe, his teammate, who is the veteran of the Seleçao, at Euro 2024, at the age of 41. Another record in the Portuguese’s strings is held by Figo, former captain of Portugal: the number of chances created. The former Barcelona player had 42 chances compared to 41 for the Al Nassr player. Defended by his coach on the sidelines of the friendly match against Croatia, Cristiano Ronaldo will have other opportunities to write his history at the Euro if he scores a quadruple. A performance that has never been achieved in the past.
But the task will be complicated even if he has two quadruplets to his credit in selection (Andorra and Lithuania). Another record that will be difficult to achieve: Michel Platini’s nine goals in an edition in 1984. The Portuguese star scored five goals in 2021, his best total in an edition. A European Championship during which he stopped in the round of 16 against Belgium (1-0).
Four years after his coronation in 2016. A historic trophy for Portugal, which will once again be one of the favorites in 2024. And in the event of a goal in the final in Berlin on July 14, he could become the oldest scorer in the match for the coronation in front of Leonardo Bonucci (34 years old), scorer in 2021. But we will have to wait and see if Portugal makes it that far, because there will be many obstacles on the Seleçao’s path to reaching the Olympiastadion.
