After experiencing both heartbreak and joy in the final, Cristiano Ronaldo ended UEFA EURO 2016 having increased his remarkable impact on UEFA European Championship history.
He may have been taken off early in the final due to injury, but Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo added several new landmarks to an already illustrious career during his time in France.
Playing in his fourth UEFA European Championship, the 31-year-old was finally able to lift the Henri Delaunay Cup in the wake of his side’s 1-0 extra-time success against the hosts at the Stade de France. It was another memorable moment for the Real Madrid forward, who has been leaving a lasting impression on the tournament since taking his first steps as a 19-year-old at UEFA EURO 2004.
First player to score in four EURO final tournaments
Ronaldo began UEFA EURO 2016 as one of seven players to have scored in three separate UEFA European Championships – and in a race with Zlatan Ibrahimović to become the first to register in a fourth. He had to wait until his third fixture in France to do it, but with his Swedish rival unable to find the net, Ronaldo made the record his own with a superb double against Hungary. When he got another in the semi-final with Wales, he became the first player to amass three goals at different EUROs.
All-time leading EURO goalscorer (qualifiers included)
The Portugal talisman also leads Ibrahimović in the overall UEFA European Championship goalscoring chart, with his nine finals strikes combining with another 20 notched during qualifying – five of which came on the road to France – to make 29.
Youngest player to appear in a final
Sunday’s final was Ronaldo’s second at this level, after he made history during his first showpiece at UEFA EURO 2004. That game ended in a heartbreaking loss to Greece, but the Madeira native left his mark by becoming the youngest player to grace a EURO final at 19 years of age and 150 days – a record that endured until Renato Sanches started against France in Saint-Denis aged 18 years and 328 days.
Portugal’s youngest player at a major finals
Ronaldo also become Portugal’s youngest player at a major tournament during EURO 2004, scoring in a 2-1 loss to Greece in Portugal’s tournament opener aged 19 years and 128 days. That feat was likewise bettered by Renato Sanches on matchday one here, the midfielder figuring as a substitute at 18 years and 301 days as Portugal drew 1-1 with Iceland.
First player to score in four EURO final tournaments
Ronaldo began UEFA EURO 2016 as one of seven players to have scored in three separate UEFA European Championships – and in a race with Zlatan Ibrahimović to become the first to register in a fourth. He had to wait until his third fixture in France to do it, but with his Swedish rival unable to find the net, Ronaldo made the record his own with a superb double against Hungary. When he got another in the semi-final with Wales, he became the first player to amass three goals at different EUROs.
Highest EURO finals scorer
Level with a clutch of players on six goals before UEFA EURO 2016, Ronaldo climbed up the table and equalled all-time leader Michel Platini with his header against Wales.
A Record Breaking EURO 2016 for Cristiano Ronaldo
