Euro 2024: Ronaldo’s Past European Championship Performances Ahead of Record 6th Appearance

Euro 2024: Ronaldo’s Past European Championship Performances Ahead of Record 6th Appearance

Joel Reyes
updated at May 22, 2024 at 7:03 AM
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Cristiano Ronaldo logo
C. Ronaldo
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  • Cristiano Ronaldo was selected to represent Portugal at Euro 2024
  • This will be his sixth time appearing in the European Championship
  • The Portuguese star won the international tournament back in 2016

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History beckons for Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2024.

He will become the first player to appear in six different European Championships after he was selected to represent Portugal in this year's event.

Sports Brief looks at Ronaldo's past performances at the Euros.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Euro 2016, European Championship, UEFA Euro
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with his Portugal teammates after they won the Euro 2016 title. Image: Mustafa Yalcin.
Source: Getty Images

Ronaldo's previous Euro performances with Portugal

Euro 2004

Ronaldo made his European Championship debut in 2004 and immediately showed the world his immense potential.

He helped Portugal reach the final, scoring two goals in the tournament including once in the group stage, netting Portugal's lone goal in their 2-1 loss to Greece.

He then opened the scoring in their semi-final clash with the Netherlands, finding the back of the net in the 26th minute. They went on to win 2-1 to book a final showdown with Greece.

Unfortunately for the hosts, they weren't able to win the trophy at their home ground. They lost 1-0 to Greece in the final, with Angelos Charisteas scoring the match-winner in the 57th minute.

Euro 2008

By the time Euro 2008 arrived, Ronaldo had already established himself as one of the best players in the world.

He was in scintillating form in the 2007-08 season, leading Manchester United to a Premier League and Champions League double.

Portugal qualified for the knockout round of Euro 2008 after topping Group A. Ronaldo scored once in the group stage, netting the second goal in their 3-1 win over the Czech Republic.

The Selecao's title dreams quickly ended, though, as they crashed out in the quarter-finals. Ronaldo failed to find the back of the net in their 3-2 loss to Germany in the last 8.

Euro 2012

Ronaldo remained Portugal's key player in the 2012 European Championship, and he made his presence felt in the group stage.

He stepped up big time in their final group game against the Netherlands, scoring a brace in the 2-1 win to book their place in the quarter-finals.

He delivered once again in the last 8, scoring the match-winner against the Czech Republic in the 79th minute.

Their run ended in the semis, however, as they lost 4-2 to Spain on penalties. Ronaldo failed to score in regulation and extra time and wasn't able to take a spot kick in the shootout.

Euro 2016

Ronaldo finally achieved his long-cherished dream of winning an international tournament with Portugal in the 2016 European Championship.

He helped Portugal reach the knockout round with some heroics in their final group game.

He scored twice in the match against Hungary to salvage a 3-3 draw. That stalemate was enough for them to qualify for the Round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stage.

Portugal took full advantage of that miraculous escape in Group F, winning four matches in a row in the knockout stage to capture their first-ever international trophy.

They beat Croatia in the last 16, with Ricardo Quaresma scoring the match-winner in the 117th minute.

They then defeated Poland on penalties in the quarters before eliminating Wales in the semis. Ronaldo starred in that 2-0 victory, scoring the opening goal in the 50th minute.

He went off injured in the first half of the final against France, but his teammates stepped up big time in his absence. Eder led Portugal in the 1-0 victory, scoring the winning goal in the 109th minute, per Eurosport.

Euro 2020

Portugal matched their feat in the 2016 European Championship, qualifying for the knockout round as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stage.

Ronaldo was a one-man wrecking crew in the group phase, scoring five goals in the matches against Hungary, Germany, and France.

Unfortunately, they weren't able to replicate their title run in 2016, as they crashed out in the Round of 16 against Belgium.

Despite their early exit, Ronaldo still won the Golden Boot award, per ESPN.

Ronaldo reacts to getting Euro 2024 spot

Sports Brief recently reported on Ronaldo's reaction to making Portugal's squad.

He is one of the 26 players selected by coach, Roberto Martinez, for Euro 2024.

Ronaldo commented that he is proud to represent Portugal at the Euros again.

Authors
Joel Reyes photo
Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.