Cristiano Ronaldo at the Euros: Ranking Portugal superstar's exploits at European Championships by goal contributions
Cristiano Ronaldo is a legendary footballer and a man of records and historical achievements. The Portuguese superstar has been a prominent fixture in European football, including the Euros.
In the upcoming Euro 2024, Ronaldo will appear in the continental tournament for a record-breaking sixth time. When he represents Portugal in the upcoming edition, he will surpass fellow Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas, who has played in five European Championships.
But how has he fared at the Euros? In this listicle, we will rank his performances at his previous five European Championships based on his goal contributions at each edition.
So without further ado, let's begin:
#5 Euro 2012, 3 goals and 0 assists
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged three goals in five Euro games 12 years ago. The legendary attacker scored when it mattered to drag his country to the semifinals, where they lost to eventual winners Spain on penalties.
Ronaldo's goals came via a brace against the Netherlands in the final group stage game and a solitary goal against the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.
#4 Euro 2008, 1 goal and 3 assists
For a man famed for his goalscoring exploits, the idea of Ronaldo bagging a solitary goal in a tournament feels anathema. However, he was still morphing into the goal machine we had come to know at the time.
Still widely considered a dangerous winger instead of a volume goalscorer, the then-Manchester United star chipped in with four goal contributions in four games.
His solitary goal against the Czechs was complimented by three assists seeing him average a goal contribution a game. Portugal were knocked out by eventual finalists Germany in the Round of 16.
#3 Euro 2004, 2 goals and 2 assists
Cristiano Ronaldo went into the tournament as a fresh-faced teenager keen to make his name and duly announced himself to the world. Playing in his host nation, Ronaldo bagged four goal involvements in six games to see his side reach the final.
Greece ruined what would have been a perfect way to introduce the world to a legend as the Greeks beat the host nation in the final.
The standout moment for Ronaldo in that edition was his goal against the Dutch in his former home ground in Lisbon to help Portugal record a 2-1 win in the semi-finals.
#2 Euro 2016, 3 goals and 2 assists
Cristiano Ronaldo was awe-inspiring in this edition and pulled his nation by the scruff of the neck to glory in France.
The Selecao had a less star-studded team than they have had in previous editions. Portugal only managed to sneak into the knockouts due to the competition's newly expanded nature after finishing third in their group.
Ronaldo's three goals and two assists helped Portugal to the final, where he would be struck with injury. This would, however, lead to one of the most iconic Ronaldo moments as he was seen standing on the touchline and urging his team on to victory alongside head coach Fernando Santos against hosts France in Paris.
#1 Euro 2020, 5 goals and 1 assist
Cristiano Ronaldo was a goal-machine in this edition. The Portugal legend blasted five goals in the group stage alone and ended the competition with six goal involvements in four games.
While three of his strikes were from the penalty spot, they count the same as regular goals and he ended the tournament as joint top scorer with Patrik Schick.
Ronaldo's goal tally saw him surpass the legendary Michelle Platini by five after the Portuguese matched him in the previous tournament, taking his tally in the European Championships to 14.