Cristiano Ronaldo has turn into the primary participant ever to look in six completely different European Championships as Portugal started their 2024 marketing campaign in opposition to Czechia on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old will look to reclaim the title that Portugal gained in 2016 once they beat host nation France 1-0 to their first European trophy.
First showing in Portugal’s squad in 2004, Ronaldo made his Euros debut on house soil scoring his first objective within the match in opposition to Czechia. Now, 20 years later, Portugal face the identical group of their opening match of Ronaldo’s sixth championship.
“Right now begins one other chapter in our historical past. I fondly bear in mind my first day with the nationwide group, a journey filled with challenges and victories. Now, I’ve the glory of being alongside a group of champions, filled with expertise and willpower,” Ronaldo mentioned in a post on X.
“With everybody’s energy and assist, we flip desires into actuality. Let’s, collectively, battle for one more triumph. United, we’re unstoppable. Go Portugal!”
Since his 2004 debut, Ronaldo has featured in each subsequent Portugal group since — 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 (performed in 2021 attributable to COVID) and now 2024.
Scoring a complete of 14 Euros targets, Ronaldo holds the report of essentially the most targets scored general within the historical past of any participant within the historical past of the competitors. His private report being 5 targets in a single marketing campaign in 2020.
Additionally on Tuesday, Portugal centre-back Pepe grew to become the oldest participant in European Championship historical past aged 41 years and 113 days.
Pepe beats the earlier report held by former Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, who was 40 years and 86 days previous when he performed of their Euro 2016 round-of-16 defeat by Belgium.
Regardless of Portugal’s star-studded attacking lineup, which incorporates skills like João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos and Rafael Leão, Ronaldo stays the groups most prolific striker and can captain the facet for the match.
Portugal will even face Georgia and Turkey in Group F.