At 39, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to lead Portugal in their quest for another European Championship title, potentially marking the final major tournament of his illustrious career. Ronaldo, a pivotal figure in Portugal’s Euro 2016 victory, played a crucial role in the team’s flawless qualification campaign under Roberto Martinez, winning all 10 matches. Sports Bild examines the records Ronaldo holds at the European Championships and the milestones he could reach in Germany over the next four weeks.
Records Ronaldo Already Holds
Ronaldo’s Euro journey began in 2004 at the age of 19, and he is set to extend his record as the only male player to represent his country in six Euros, barring injury. He debuted with a goal in a 2-1 defeat against Greece on June 12, 2004, and has continued to find the back of the net. He has scored 14 goals in Euros, surpassing Michel Platini’s previous record of nine, all of which came in France’s 1984 triumph. Ronaldo’s tally includes two goals in 2004, one in 2008, three in both 2012 and 2016, and five in 2021, where he was the joint top scorer.
Ronaldo also holds the record for scoring three or more goals in multiple Euros. His consistency is unmatched, having played in all but one of Portugal’s matches across five tournaments, missing only the last group game against Switzerland in 2008 when Portugal had already secured advancement.
With 25 appearances, Ronaldo holds the record for the most appearances in Euros, followed by teammates Joao Moutinho and Pepe, each with 19. Ronaldo’s 137 attempts on goal are the highest since 1980, far exceeding Thierry Henry’s 52, with Zinedine Zidane and Dennis Bergkamp both at 48.
Records Ronaldo Could Break at Euro 2024
While Ronaldo leads in several categories, he is yet to surpass others. He is one chance created away from Luis Figo’s record of 42, with Mesut Ozil (40), Karel Poborsky (39), and Zidane (38) trailing behind. Ronaldo and Poborsky currently share the record for the most assists (six each), but Kevin de Bruyne (five) is a contender for this record in Germany.
At 39, Ronaldo could become the oldest scorer in the tournament’s history, surpassing Austria’s Ivica Vastic, who scored at 38 years and 257 days in 2008. The record for the oldest scorer in a Euro final, currently held by Italy’s Leonardo Bonucci (34), is also within reach. If Portugal replicates their 2016 success, Ronaldo would join Spain’s Iker Casillas as the only players to captain their country to two Euro titles.
Portugal, ranked sixth globally, have a favorable group stage draw against the Czech Republic (36th), Turkey (40th), and Georgia (75th). Ronaldo, who has scored against 47 different nations, could increase this to 50 if he scores against Turkey or Georgia for the first time.
Ronaldo’s Future Prospects
In September, Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and current player for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, surpassed 850 career goals. Renowned for his athleticism, there is speculation about his continued international career. The 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States looms, where he could add to his eight World Cup goals. Beyond that, the Euros in the UK and Ireland in 2028 are a possibility, though uncertain.
Regardless of what the future holds, Ronaldo’s European Championship records are formidable and will be challenging for future players to surpass.