Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly on the brink of achieving a historic milestone as the first player in history to qualify for six different UEFA European Championships, following Portugal’s resounding 9-0 triumph over Luxembourg.
The 38-year-old football sensation was notably absent from his team’s recent commanding win on home soil due to a suspension incurred during their 1-0 victory against Slovakia on September 8th. However, his teammates admirably held their own in his absence, putting nine goals past a hapless Luxembourg side and achieving their largest-ever victory.
Prior to this match, Ronaldo had participated in all five of Portugal’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying games, contributing five goals to their tally. With 18 points from their opening six games, his team is now just one match away from securing their place in the finals to be held in Germany.
Slovakia currently sits in second place with 13 points, while Luxembourg occupies the third spot in the six-team group with 10 points to their name. Portugal can secure their qualification if they defeat Slovakia at home and Luxembourg fails to prevail over Iceland on October 13th.
According to the Twitter account @TeamCRonaldo, ‘CR7’ is poised to make history as the first player to qualify for six UEFA European Championships. However, it’s important to note that this achievement is not yet guaranteed, as the 2016 UEFA Euro champions have not officially secured their place in the 2024 edition.
Portugal, France, and Scotland are the only three teams with a flawless record in the qualifiers for next year’s Euros. Nevertheless, France and Scotland have played one game fewer than Roberto Martinez’s side.
A Look at Cristiano Ronaldo’s UEFA European Championship Record
Cristiano Ronaldo’s inaugural appearance in the competition occurred during the 2004 edition, nearly a year after his international debut in August 2003. Since Portugal hosted that tournament, Ronaldo’s team secured automatic qualification, although they were ultimately defeated in the final by Greece.
Ronaldo has represented his country in every subsequent edition of the competition. In UEFA European Championship qualifiers, the former Real Madrid superstar boasts a remarkable record, tallying 36 goals and four assists in 40 matches.
Alongside Iker Casillas, Ronaldo shares the record for participating in five UEFA European Championships. Should Portugal make it to the finals in Germany and Ronaldo takes the field, he will hold this record exclusively.
The UEFA European Championship also marked a significant milestone in Ronaldo’s career, as it represented his first major international trophy. Portugal emerged victorious in the 2016 edition, triumphing over France in the final.
Ronaldo played in all seven matches during that tournament, registering three goals and as many assists. He is also the all-time leading goal-scorer and appearance-maker in UEFA European Championship history, boasting 14 goals in 25 matches spanning five editions. Furthermore, the Al-Nassr superstar wore the captain’s armband in 16 of those matches.