Cristiano Ronaldo vowed to give his all in an effort to help the Portuguese team win the Euro championship for the second time.
Ronaldo lifted the Euro 2016 championship trophy with Portugal. Photo: AFP.
“Proud to represent Portugal again at the Euro. Will do my best”, Ronaldo expressed his joy on social networks after being named to the Portuguese team squad by coach Roberto Martinez. Attend Euro 2024 taking place in Germany from June 15 to July 15..
Ronaldo has never missed a major international tournament for Portugal since Euro 2004, although he did not help the “European Selecao” defeat Greece in the final 20 years ago.
It was not until Euro 2016 that CR7 and Portugal were crowned champions after defeating France 1-0 in the final.
Ronaldo currently holds the record for scoring goals in 5 consecutive Euro tournaments, as he has scored a total of 14 goals in Europe’s most attractive tournament. By being present at Euro 2024, the Portuguese star also holds the record of appearing at Euro in 6 consecutive periods (previously in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020).
Coach Roberto Martinez (right red shirt) gives information to Ronaldo (far left) and the Portuguese players before the Euro 2024 qualifying Group A match against Slovakia. Photo: AP
The 39-year-old striker playing for Al Nassr also set a record of appearing in 25 matches at Euro, missing only one match during the above mentioned period.
If he scores at Euro 2024, Ronaldo will break the record for the oldest scorer held by Austria’s Ivica Vastic at 38 years and 257 days at Euro 2008.
And just by appearing at the tournament in Germany, the Portuguese star will eclipse Lothar Matthaus’s record as the oldest player to appear. Previously, the German player played at the age of 39 years and 91 days at Euro 2000.
If Ronaldo leads Portugal to the final, he will break the record of being the oldest player to attend a final held by Jens Lehmann in Germany’s 1-0 loss to Spain in Euro 2008 when 38 years and 232 days old.
And if he scores a goal in the final, Ronaldo will be the oldest scorer in tournament history. This record currently belongs to Leonardo Bonucci at the age of 34 years and 71 days, who equalized for Italy in the Euro 2020 final victory over England.
If he brings glory to Portugal at Euro 2024, it will also see Ronaldo crowned as the oldest champion, when previously Arnold Muhren of the Netherlands set the record at the age of 37 at Euro 1988.
Notably, many of Ronaldo’s records will not be achieved if teammate Pepe comes on the field, when the former Real Madrid midfielder was also named by coach Roberto Martinez in the squad for Euro 2024 at the age of 41.
