This Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to play in the final six stages of the European Football Championship when he started Portugal’s Euro 2024 debut against the Czech Republic.
As expected, the national captain is part of the eleven Portuguese national teams in Leipzig and is currently competing in six European Championships, a record that began in 2004 on Portuguese soil and continued in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.
With this meeting at the Red Bull Arena, the 39-year-old Ronaldo also strengthened his football status, having played more games in the final stages of the European Championship (his 26th) and even more games as captain (17th).
The team’s “Seven” also enters the field with the leadership in the “championship” of the players who have the most victories in the final stages of the European Championships – 12.
In terms of goals, the Portuguese is also dominant, with 14 in total compared to Frenchman Michel Platini’s nine, all of which came in 1984, a record for just one goal.
Ronaldo scored in 10 games, another record, “winning” in all five editions, something unique, and scored two or more goals in four matches – another unprecedented feat for a player born in Madeira.
Today’s goal in Leipzig also makes Cristiano the oldest player to score in a final tournament, overtaking Austrian Vlasic, who won Euro 2008 aged 38 years and 257 days.
Selected three times in the ideal team of the tournament, in 2004, 2012 and 2016, the forward remains in this regard equal to the Italian Maldini and the Frenchman Blanc, as well as Pepe, who was selected in 2008, 2012 and 2016.