5 Records Cristiano Ronaldo Could Break In Euro 2020 Championship
The Portuguese could be making history once again in this summer’s European Championship. As a result, we take a look at the 5 records Cristiano Ronaldo could break in Euro 2020 Championship.
Last month, the 36-year-old said: “I don’t chase records, records chase me.”
The Juventus talisman has achieved so much that breaking records is almost like second nature to him, insisting they come to him and not the other way round. Meanwhile, this summer’s European Championship should be no different either. Thus, here are the 5 records Cristiano Ronaldo could break in Euro 2020 Championship.
1. Most Appearances In The Finals
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is currently one of 17 players to have appeared in four Euro tournaments (2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016). However, he will take the record outright this summer by making his fifth appearance.
But before we continue, here is the list of players to have played in four different Euro tournaments;
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Lothar Matthäus (West Germany/Germany – 1980, 1984, 1988, 2000)
- Peter Schmeichel (Denmark – 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000)
- Alessandro Del Piero (Italy – 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
- Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands – 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
- Lilian Thuram (France – 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008)
- Olof Mellberg (Sweden – 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012)
- Gianluigi Buffon (Italy – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Petr Čech (Czech Republic – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Andreas Isaksson (Sweden – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Kim Källström (Sweden – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Jaroslav Plašil (Czech Republic – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Lukas Podolski (Germany – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Tomáš Rosický (Czech Republic – 2000, 2004, 2012, 2016)
- Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016)
- Darijo Srna (Croatia – 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
2. Top European Championship Scorer
Cristiano Ronaldo needs just one goal to surpass Juventus and France icon Michel Platini as the all-time top goalscorer of the European Championship. The legends are tied on nine goals apiece and CR7 will no doubt relish this one.
Here is how the top 3 looks;
- Michel Platini (France) – 9 Goals
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 9 Goals
- Alan Shearer (England) – 7 Goals
Check out the full list of the highest scorers in European Championship history here!
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3. Most Appearances Including Qualifying Games
Cristiano is just two games behind Juve teammate Gigi Buffon in the all-time list. The former Italy shot-stopper has made 58 appearances in the European Championship, including qualifying games.
However, Ronaldo only has two appearances fewer than Buffon in 56 matches. The Portugal captain, thus, needs to play at least three times this summer to make the record his own.
Below is the top three in this category;
- Gianluigi Buffon (Italy – 58 games)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal – 56 games)
- Mario Frick (Liechtenstein – 51 games)
4. Back-to-Back European Titles As Captain
Should Portugal retain their crown, Cristiano Ronaldo will join former Real Madrid teammate Iker Casillas as the only captain to lead his national team to back-to-back European titles.
The former Spain No 1 was the first player to do it upon helping Spain win Euro 2008 and 2012 consecutively.
5. The Oldest Player to Score In a European Final
For Ronaldo, age is just a number and it has never stopped him before and definitely, the 36-year-old would love to prove it again in the final. If Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal, he’ll have broken yet another record as the oldest player to score in a European Championship final.
Bernd Holzenbein is the current record holder. The former forward scored for West Germany in the Euro 1976 final aged 30 years and 103 days old.
How many of these records do you think Ronaldo could break? Feel free to share your opinion with us via our comments section below!
