Cristiano Ronaldo, the 39-year-old forward, is included in the list of 23 Portuguese national team players for Euro 2024 announced today, and he will break a series of records if he continues to play.
The list of Portuguese national team players for Euro 2024 was announced by coach Roberto Martinez today, May 21, with nine stars currently playing in the English Premier League, including Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias from the reigning champions Manchester City, and Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot from Manchester United. The oldest player called up is 41-year-old defender Pepe from Porto. Ronaldo, at the age of 39, has the most experience in the team with 206 appearances.
Ronaldo currently holds the record for participating in five Euro tournaments, in the years 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020. The Portuguese forward will surpass this record if he maintains good fitness and plays at Euro 2024. Former Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas also appeared in five Euro tournaments but only played in 2004, 2006, and 2016, missing out in 2000 and 2012.
Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 25 matches at the Euros – all records for the tournament, with the peak being the championship in 2016. Among them, he scored two goals at Euro 2004, one goal in 2008, three goals in 2012, three goals in 2016, and five goals in 2020. Ronaldo is also the only player to score 41 goals in the Euro qualifiers, totaling 55 goals in the qualifiers and Euro finals. The 39-year-old forward also holds the record for playing 2,153 minutes, winning 12 matches, and appearing in 16 matches as captain at the Euros.
Ronaldo could break many milestones at Euro 2024, including becoming the oldest goal scorer at the tournament, surpassing Ivica Vastic’s peak of 38 years and 257 days. He could also surpass Leonardo Bonucci (34 years and 71 days) to become the oldest player to score in the Euro final if Portugal reaches the final in Germany this summer.
Lothar Matthaus holds the record for the oldest outfield player, excluding goalkeepers, to appear at the Euros (39 years and 91 days). Jens Lehmann is the oldest player to feature in the Euro final (38 years and 232 days), and Arnold Muhren is the oldest player to win the Euros (37 years and 23 days). These are other records that Ronaldo could aim for.
Ronaldo is currently playing for Al Nassr with the highest salary in the world – over 200 million USD. He has contributed 14 assists and scored 53 goals in 53 matches since the beginning of the 2023-2024 season for both his club and the national team. Among these, the Portuguese forward leads the race for the Golden Boot with 33 goals in the Saudi Pro League, surpassing Aleksandar Mitrovic by seven goals. It’s almost certain that Ronaldo will become the first player to win the Golden Boot in four countries, including Saudi Arabia, England, Italy, and Spain.
Portugal will play friendly matches against Finland on June 4, Croatia on June 8, and Ireland on June 11 before participating in Euro 2024, where they are placed in Group F alongside the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Georgia.
Here’s the list of 26 Portuguese players selected for Euro 2024:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Patricio (AS Roma), Jose Sa (Wolves)
Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting), Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira (PSG), Nélson Semedo (Wolves)
Midfielders: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), João Palhinha (Fulham), Joao Neves (Benfica), Vitinha (PSG), Otavio (Al Nassr), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal)
Forwards: Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Francisco Conceicao (Porto), Joao Felix (Barcelona), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Pedro Neto (Wolves)
