Cristiano Ronaldo officially wrote his name in the history of the EURO finals when he was named in Portugal’s starting lineup against the Czech Republic.

Cristiano Ronaldo officially set a new record when he was named in the Portugal team that won 2-1 against the Czech Republic in Group F of EURO 2024.

Specifically, Ronaldo entered UEFA EURO history as the first player to participate in the tournament 6 times (in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024).

The first EURO tournament that CR7 participated in was in 2004, which was held in Portugal. At that time, he was only 19 years old.

Ronaldo’s achievements are currently one-time more than those of the two people behind him: Pepe (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024) and Luka Modric (Croatia, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024). However, EURO 2024 will likely be the last tournament for these two players.

The group of four-time EURO players still playing includes Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller, Manuel Neuer, Ivan Perisic, Wojciech Szczesny, Andriy Yarmolenko and Olivier Giroud.

Ronaldo attended 6 EURO tournaments in his career. (Source: UEFA)

On this list, Iker Casillas of Spain has participated in 5 EUROs but only started in 2004, 2008, and 2012. The former goalkeeper of the Spanish team played a reserve role for Canizares in EURO 2000 and 2012. David De Gea at EURO 2016.

In addition to the record for attending the most EURO tournaments, Ronaldo is currently the player with the most goals at EURO tournaments, with 14 goals (2 goals in 2004, 1 goal in 2008, 3 goals in 2012, 3 goals in 2016, and 5 goals at EURO 2020).

In the opening match, Ronaldo started but could not score a goal. However, he still has a chance to create more records for himself, as Portugal still has at least two group stage matches ahead.

If he scores, Ronaldo will not only break his own record but also become the oldest player to score at EURO. This record currently belongs to Austrian player Ivica Vastic.

Ivica Vastic scored with a penalty in stoppage time against Poland at EURO 2008 at the age of 38 years, 257 days. Ronaldo has a chance to surpass Vlastic because he has turned 39 years old.

Cristiano Ronaldo is clearly eager to conquer this record and also write his name in history in many other categories in what may be his last international tournament.

Along with Ronaldo, his teammate, veteran midfielder Pepe, also set a proud record in his career when he was placed in the starting lineup by Coach Roberto Martínez.

Specifically, by appearing in the victory over the Czech Republic, “the butcher” Pepe officially became the oldest player to play in a EURO Final Round at the age of 41 years and 113 days.

The previous record holder was former Hungarian team goalkeeper Gabor Király (40 years and 86 days) when he and his teammates faced Belgium in the round of 16 at EURO 2016.

Pepe can absolutely continue to improve his record if he continues to play in Portugal’s next matches at Euro 2024.

Pepe has officially become the oldest player to play in a EURO Finals. (Source: Getty Images) )

This is entirely possible, as Pepe is still showing good form when he is placed in the starting lineup with Ruben Dias and Nuno Mendes in defense in the opening match.

In this match, Portugal is the team that is rated higher than the Czech Republic but faces countless difficulties against the opponent.

Ronaldo and his teammates even let the Czech Republic score the opening goal in the 62nd minute from a shot from outside the penalty area by Lukas Provod.

However, Portugal then rose strongly and took only 7 minutes to equalize 1-1 after an own goal by midfielder Robin Hranáč on the Czech side.

It didn’t stop there; in the 90+2 minute, Francisco Conceicao only needed 2 minutes after entering the field to shine with the decisive goal that brought a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory for Portugal.

This victory helped the Portuguese team have the same 3 points as Turkey but temporarily rank second in Group F due to being inferior to their opponents in terms of goal difference (Türkiye had previously surpassed Georgia 3-1).

In the next match, Portugal will face Turkey—a match that will not only decide the top spot in the group but also determine which team will soon win the right to advance./.