"Incomparable" - Portugal national team's official X account hails Cristiano Ronaldo as he makes Euro history
Portugal's national team made a post on their official X account, hailing Cristiano Ronaldo for making history at Euro 2024. The Selecao captain is now the only player in history to have appeared in six UEFA European Championships.
Portugal shared the post celebrating the 39-year-old forward's record with the caption:
"Incomparable.🐐🇵🇹 "
Cristiano Ronaldo, who made his debut for the Selecao in 2003, won the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2018–19. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is also his nation's and overall international all-time leading goal scorer with 130 goals in 207 appearances. He has also provided 46 assists.
The star forward scored a brace in Portugal's last friendly match of Euro 2024 against Ireland on June 11, which ended in a 3-0 win for his side. With his first goal of the match, the former Real Madrid player became the first player in history to score in 21 consecutive years with the national team. He has scored every year with Portugal since 2004.
In a pre-match press conference before the Selecao's friendly against Croatia on June 8, head coach Roberto Martinez opened up about Cristiano Ronaldo's role at Euro 2024. He said (via Portuguese newspaper O Jogo):
"Ronaldo is having very consistent performances, there is no doubt that he is an incredible scorer. It is his sixth European Championship, the only one who has played in five, it is a unique feat in world football."
"We create competitiveness with 23 field players, we make decisions and Ronaldo is ready to give everything. There is no other player in world football who gives what Ronaldo can give us," added the 50-year-old manager.
Portugal along with Turkey, Czechia, and Georgia have been sorted into Group F for Euro 2024. The Selecao are pitted against Czechia on June 18 at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened up about Portugal's chances at Euro 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo spoke optimistically about Portugal's chances at the Euro 2024 mentioning their 'historic' Euro 2016 win and said (via TimelineCR7):
"Talent alone isn't enough to win. We have all the ingredients, but we'll take it one step at a time, believing we can win. Our 2016 achievement was historic. Now, our feet are on the ground, but our mind is up in the sky, seeing it's possible to win the EURO."
"I firmly believe that this team will bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese fans, beginning with this EURO. However, the best generation of players are always those who win (trophies). I hope this national team will win. It's an incredibly talented squad," added the Selecao captain.
The Selecao will face Turkey next in Euro 2024 on June 22, at Signal Iduna Park.