Cristiano Ronaldo set a record even before kick-off in Portugal’s opening game against Czechia in a Group F match of Euro 2024, at the Leipzig Stadium in Germany on Tuesday.
Having made his European Championship debut in 2004, Ronaldo has featured in every edition of the tournament since, in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024, with the Al Nassr forward named in the starting 11 of Portugal for the match against the Czechs.
He went past his former Real Madrid teammates Luka Modric and compatriot Pepe, who have featured in five editions of the tournament, including 2024, with the former leading Croatia into the tournament in Germany.
MOST APPEARANCES IN EUROS
Ronaldo, who is Portugal’s highest goalscorer and its most successful captain, led the side to win the European Championship in 2016, beating France in the final, which remains their only title so far.
The 39-year-old is coming into the tournament after a prolific season in the Saudi Pro League, where he won the Golden Boot after scoring 33 goals in the 2023-24 season. He is also the record goalscorer in the European Championships, with 14 goals across six campaigns, having played 25 times, which is also a record.
Portugal is drawn in Group F with Czechia (also known as Czech Republic), Turkey and debutant Georgia, and plays the Turks next, three days later.
Meanwhile, Turkey opened its Euro 2024 campaign with a commanding 3-1 win over Georgia, which included a stunner by Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler.
Comments
SHARE