At the age of 39, Cristiano Ronaldo is back to spearhead Portugal’s bid to become European champions again – in what could be the final major tournament of his incredible career.
Ronaldo helped Portugal win Euro 2016 and played a vital part in qualifying for this one as Roberto Martinez’s side won all 10 of their matches.
BBC Sport has studied Ronaldo’s stellar Euros career and taken a look at the records he holds at European Championships – and those he could well break in Germany over the next four weeks.
Ronaldo first played in the Euros in 2004, aged 19, and can stretch a record he holds simply by getting on the pitch. He is already the only male player to have represented his country at five Euros and, as long as he doesn’t get injured, will surely extend that to six this month.
He marked his debut with a goal against Greece in a 2-1 defeat on 12 June 2004 – and the goals keep on coming.
A double against Hungary in Portugal’s opening match three years ago took him past Michel Platini’s total of nine for the men’s record, although all of those nine came in the same competition as France won the 1984 title.
Ronaldo also holds the distinction of being the only male to score three or more goals in multiple Euros.
But Ronaldo does not hold all the attacking records, yet.
Again since 1980, the record for most chances created is held by a Portuguese great, but not Ronaldo, as Luis Figo sits on top of the charts with 42. Ronaldo is only one behind on 41, with Germany’s Mesut Ozil on 40, Karel Poborsky of the Czech Republic on 39 and Zidane on 38.
Former Manchester United winger Poborsky is currently sharing the record with Ronaldo for most assists with six each, although Manchester City and Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is among those on five and will be looking to bolster that number in Germany.
Even at 39, Ronaldo is not the oldest player in the Portugal squad, with that honour falling to team-mate Pepe.
Credit: bbc.com
