Portugal superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, has the potential to break six records at Euro 2020. In the Portugal squad chosen by coach Fernando Santos, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been captain for a long time, is side by side with a number of other big names. From goalkeeper posts to strikers, Portugal’s squad is full of star players or at least has experience playing in Europe’s top five leagues.
Names such as Rui Patricio, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, to Joao Felix, complete the picture of Portugal’s strength ahead of Euro 2020. They can help Portugal defend the Euro title won in the 2016 edition, after beating hosts France.
Defending the title is also Ronaldo’s ambition in Euro 2020 which will be held in 11 different cities. However, despite these ambitions, Ronaldo has the opportunity to complement individual achievements.
Ronaldo can break six individual records at Euro 2020, continuing the achievements he has made since his debut at Euro 2004. According to the official UEFA website, here are half a dozen records that Ronaldo can break at Euro 2020:
1. Owner of the Most Euro Edition
A total of 17 players have appeared in four editions of the Euros, starting with Lothar Matthaeus and Peter Schmeichel in 2000. Cristiano Ronaldo is among the 17 names and he will be the only player to appear in all five editions of Euros during Euro 2020. Currently, he is the last active player of the 11 players registered in fourth Euro participation in 2016.
2. Top Goalscorer
Ronaldo has scored nine goals since his debut at the Euros on June 12, 2004. At that time, Ronaldo marked his debut with a score of one goal behind a 1-2 defeat to Greece. With a collection of nine goals, Ronaldo is at the top of the list of top scorers at the Euro finals, along with French legend, Michel Platini.
He will surpass Platini’s achievements and set a record as the only top scorer in the Euro finals if he is able to find the opponent’s goal in the 2020 edition.
3. The Most Appearances
Cristiano Ronaldo needs three more appearances to surpass the record for most appearances at the Euros currently held by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon had 58 games from qualifying to the finals. Currently, Ronaldo has packed 56 appearances, five games ahead of Mario Frick (Liechtenstein).
In those 56 appearances, Ronaldo recorded 36 wins, 12 draws and eight defeats. Ronaldo’s chances of breaking Buffon’s record are quite large, considering he only needs to play three matches in the Euro 2020 group stage.
4. Most Goalscorers in One Game
Ronaldo can be one of the top scorers in a single Euro game. So far, only seven people have scored a hat-trick or three goals in a single Euro game and Ronaldo is not yet among the seven names. Ronaldo has the opportunity because he has a good history of hat-tricks. He has bagged nine hat-tricks for Portugal, including twice scoring four goals in one game.
5. Oldest Goal Scorer in the Euro Finals
If Portugal is able to reach the top of the party, Ronaldo could be the oldest player to score in the Euro final. The record was previously held by the German player, Bernd Hoelzenbein, who scored against Czechoslovakia in the final of Euro 1976. Bernd Hoelzenbein who was then 30 years and 103 days scored the equalizer against Czechoslovakia. He forced extra time to lose on penalties due to the decisive execution of the legendary Czechoslovak midfielder, Antonin Panenka.
Currently, Bernd Hoelzenbein is still the only player over the age of 30 who is able to score in a Euro final. Ronaldo, who will be 36 years 156 days old on July 11 (Euro 2020 final schedule) has a chance to break the record if Portugal is able to reach the top party.
6. Captain with 2 Euro Titles
If Portugal is able to win Euro 2020 and Ronaldo is still trusted as captain, he will be side by side with Spanish goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. Meanwhile, Iker Casillas is still the only team captain to win two Euro titles (2008 and 2012).
