Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo sets another record in UEFA Euro history, becomes the first player to appear at six UEFA European Championships.

Cristiano Ronaldo sets another record in UEFA Euro history. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo is a man who’s become synonymous with breaking records. Such is the stature of this legendary player that now we aren’t as surprised when he breaks a record as that’s what the fans have come to expect from him. 

Adding to his already impressive list of records, the 39-year-old Portugal forward became the first player to appear in six UEFA European Championships for his country as he stepped onto the pitch against the Czech Republic in Portugal’s opener in UEFA Euro 2024. 

Ronaldo already held the record for most appearances in UEFA Euro history with 25 appearances and made it 26 when he appeared against the Czechs tonight. He might go on to add to his 14 goals in the UEFA European Championships later tonight in Leipzig, which will also make him the oldest goalscorer of the tournament, adding another feather in his cap. 

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner started his career in this tournament back in the 2004 edition of the European Championships when Portugal reached the finals of the tournament on their home soil, before losing to surprise package Greece, breaking millions of Portuguese hearts, including that of a young 19-year-old superstar in the making.

Having faced defeat in the only final he reached with his national team, Cristiano Ronaldo had to wait for a long time before achieving silverware with the national team. Following the loss to Greece on home soil, Ronaldo went on to become a legend of the game at club level joining European giants like Manchester United and Real Madrid but International success continued to evade him.

However, 12 years later, he finally led his side to success in the same competition that had been the cause of his greatest heartbreak, the UEFA European Championships, inflicting the same pain on the French national team that he himself experienced in 2004, as his side defeated hosts France in the final on their way to winning the biggest International trophy of Europe.

With an already illustrious career behind him, the Portuguese legend is now in the twilight of his career. The 2024 edition of the UEFA European Championship looks to be the final edition Cristiano Ronaldo will be a part of as a player. He would surely like to say goodbye to this tournament by lifting the trophy once again. Portugal are a part of Group F and after their match with the Czech Republic, they will face Turkey and Georgia in the group stages and will surely be thinking of repeating their heroics from eight years ago.