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Cristiano Ronaldo's name is synonymous with records and he is on the verge of breaking several more as we head into Euro 2020. At 36 years of age, this could possibly be one of the last major tournaments of Cristiano Ronaldo's illustrious career.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in great form heading into Euro 2020
For a player who has dominated the world football stage for close to a decade and a half, breaking records is nothing new. Despite his age, Ronaldo was one of the highest scorers in the top five European leagues in the 2019-20 season. He also won the Serie A Golden Boot, beating Romelu Lukaku by a margin of five goals.
He inspired Portugal to Euro triumph in 2016 and given the quality of their squad and their depth, they have what it takes to go all the way in Euro 2020.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five records Cristiano Ronaldo could break at Euro 2020.
#5 Most Euro finals campaigns
Cristiano Ronaldo made his Euro debut in 2004. He has been a fixture in Portugal's first-team ever since. He has dominated the world stage and is a serial winner. Ronaldo led from the front and was unfortunate to have been forced off the field in the Euro 2016 final against France which they ultimately won.
Ronaldo has played in four Euro finals campaigns till date. Seventeen footballers have featured in four Euro finals. But no one has appeared in five. When he plays for Portugal in Euro 2020, Ronaldo will become the first player to have played in five editions of the tournament.
#4 Most number of goals at Euro finals
Cristiano Ronaldo kickstarted his career at the Euros with a goal on his debut against Greece. His goal proved to be quite inconsequential as Greece won the group stage match 1-0. Since then, Ronaldo has added eight more goals in the Euro finals. He is expected to add plenty more this time.
He is currently tied with Michael Platini for the most number of goals scored at the tournament. Interestingly, all of Platini's nine goals came at Euro 1984. Ronaldo has distributed them over four editions. If he finds the back of the net even once at Euro 2020, he will become the highest goal getter in the history of the competition.
#3 Most appearances at Euros (including appearances at the qualifying stage)
Cristiano Ronaldo is on course to become the most experienced player in the history of the competition. The legendary Gianluigi Buffon currently holds the record for the most appearances in the competition, including qualifying and final stages.
The Italian has made 58 appearances for Italy in his career. Buffon retired from international football in 2017. Ronaldo has made 56 appearances at the Euros, in both the qualifying and final stages together. He needs to make three more to dethrone the legendary Italian goalkeeper as the player with the most number of appearances at Euros.
Out of his 56 appearances, Ronaldo has won 36, played out 12 draws and suffered eight defeats.
#2 Oldest scorer in a final
Portugal have been one of the most dominant forces in Europe over the past five years. They have won two major tournaments in the last five years. After their triumphant run at Euro 2016, they followed it up by winning the first edition of the UEFA Nations League.
Portugal have a star-studded squad that's packed to the brim with talented players. They are among the favourites to win Euro 2020. If the Portuguese side do make it to the final of the competition, Ronaldo will have the opportunity to become the oldest scorer in a Euro final.
The record is currently held by West Germany's Bernd Hölzenbein in 1976. If Portugal make it to the final, Cristiano Ronaldo will be 36 years and 156 days old on the day.
#1 Most number of international goals in history
Cristiano Ronaldo is close to becoming the all-time leading scorer in international football. Iran's Ali Daei has 109 goals to his name. Ronaldo is close behind at second with 103 goals.
He needs seven more goals to displace Ali Daei at the top. Among the active players, Ali Makhbout of UAE is the closest to Ronaldo with 73 goals. India's Sunil Chhetri and Argentina's Lionel Messi have 72 each. It's safe to say that Ronaldo won't be overtaken any time soon.
If Ronaldo can score seven goals at Euro 2020, he will break the record for the most number of international goals by a player in the history of the game. It will be a crowning achievement for one of the greatest players to have graced the game.
It will also be a testament to Ronaldo's incredible goalscoring prowess which has benefitted every team that he has ever played for.
