Cristiano Ronaldo officially set a new record when he was named in the Portugal team that beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Group F of EURO 2024.
Specifically, Ronaldo entered UEFA EURO history as the first player to participate in the tournament 6 times (in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024).
The first EURO in which CR7 participated was in 2004, the tournament was held in Portugal. At that time he was only 19 years old.
Ronaldo’s achievements are currently 1 times greater than those of the two behind him, Pepe (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024) and Luka Modric (Croatia 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024). However, EURO 2024 will probably be the last tournament for these two players.
The group of four-time EURO players still playing includes Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller and Manuel Neuer, Ivan Perisic, Wojciech Szczesny, Andriy Yarmolenko and Olivier Giroud.
Ronaldo attended 6 European Championships throughout his career. (Source: UEFA)
On this list, Iker Casillas from Spain has participated in 5 Euro Cups, but was only a starter in 2004, 2008, 2012. The former goalkeeper of the Spanish national team played as a substitute for Cañizares in Euro 2000 and 2012. David De Gea in the Euro Cup 2016.
In addition to the record for attendance at the most EURO tournaments, Ronaldo is currently the player with the most goals in EURO tournaments with 14 goals (2 goals in 2004, 1 goal in 2008, 3 goals in 2012, 3 goals in 2016, 5 goals in 2016).
In the opening match, Ronaldo started but failed to score a goal. However, they still have a chance to create more records, as Portugal still have at least two group stage matches left.
If he scores, Ronaldo will not only break his own record but will also become the oldest player to score at the EURO. This record currently belongs to the Austrian player Ivica Vastic.
Ivica Vastic scored a penalty in added time against Poland at Euro 2008 at the age of 38 years and 257 days. Ronaldo has a chance to surpass Vlastic because he is 39 years old.
It is clear that Cristiano Ronaldo really wants to conquer this record and also write his name in history in many other categories in what may be his last international tournament.
Along with Ronaldo, his teammate, veteran midfielder Pepe, also set a proud career record when he was placed in the starting lineup by coach Roberto Martínez.
Specifically, by appearing in the victory over the Czech Republic, “the butcher” Pepe officially became the oldest player to play in a EURO Final Round at 41 years and 113 days.
The previous record holder was held by former Hungarian national team goalkeeper Gabor Király (40 years and 86 days) when he and his teammates faced Belgium in the round of 16 of Euro 2016.
Pepe can continue to improve his record by continuing to play in Portugal’s upcoming matches at EURO 2024.
Pepe has officially become the oldest player to appear in a EURO final. (Source: Getty Images)
This is entirely possible as Pepe is still showing good form when placed in the starting XI with Ruben Dias and Nuno Mendes in defense in the opening match.
In this match, Portugal is the better rated team than the Czech Republic, but faces innumerable difficulties against its rival.
Ronaldo and his teammates even let the Czech Republic score the first goal in the 62nd minute with a shot from outside the box by Lukas Provod.
However, Portugal came back strong and took just 7 minutes to tie at 1-1 after an own goal by Czech side midfielder Robin Hranáč.
It didn’t stop there, in the 90+2 minute, Francisco Conceicao only needed 2 minutes after entering the field to shine with the decisive goal that marked a spectacular 2-1 comeback for Portugal.
This victory helped the Portuguese team to have the same 3 points as Türkiye, but they temporarily took second place in Group F due to being inferior to their opponents in terms of goal difference (Türkiye had previously beaten Georgia 3-1) .
In the next match, Portugal will face Türkiye, a match that will not only decide the first place in the group, but will also determine which team will soon gain the right to advance.
