Cristiano Ronaldo Poised to Make History at Euro 2024 as Portugal Faces Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo, at 39, is set to become the first player in history to achieve a world record at the European Championship, which begins in Germany on June 14. As Portugal gears up for the tournament, they will face Croatia in a friendly match in Lisbon on Saturday, June 8.

Ronaldo, the competition's leading scorer and appearance maker, is preparing for his sixth and final European Championship. He is the most capped male player in international football history, having surpassed 200 appearances for Portugal. In addition, Ronaldo has scored a record-breaking 35 goals in Saudi Arabia, making him a vital player for Portugal.

Portugal, under the guidance of manager Roberto Martinez, has been in spectacular form, going unbeaten in qualifying and scoring the most goals while conceding the least. The team will face the Czech Republic in their Group F showdown on June 18 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.

Ronaldo's remarkable season with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League has set the stage for his European Championship campaign. He scored 35 goals in 31 games, surpassing the previous record of 34 goals in a single season. His focus now shifts to leading Portugal to success in the tournament.

Roberto Martinez commented on Ronaldo's form: "A player who scores 42 goals in 41 games for his club shows continuity, a physical ability to always be fit and quality in front of goal that we really like and need."

Portugal's 26-man squad for Euro 2024 includes veteran defender Pepe but excludes Manchester City's Matheus Nunes and injured Bayern Munich left-back Raphael Guerreiro. The team remains an outside bet for glory, with Martinez's squad showing a balance of experience and youth.

The friendly match against Croatia will be a vital test for both teams. Croatia, managed by Zlatko Dalic, has named a provisional squad of 35 players, which will be reduced to 26. Key players include Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, and Luka Modric.

Portugal and Croatia have faced each other seven times, with Portugal dominating the matchup with six wins and one draw. The last encounter was in the UEFA Nations League in November 2020, which Portugal won 3-2.

As Portugal prepares for Euro 2024, the team will play three friendlies on home soil before flying to their base in Germany. These matches include games against Croatia, Finland, and the Republic of Ireland, providing valuable preparation time for the tournament.

Portugal's first group stage match will be against the Czech Republic on June 18, followed by games against Turkey and Georgia. The tournament will feature 24 teams, with the top two from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the last 16.

With Ronaldo's illustrious career potentially nearing its end, Euro 2024 represents a significant opportunity for him to add another chapter to his legacy. His participation and potential record-breaking achievements will be closely watched as Portugal aims for success in Germany.

Key Takeaways

• Cristiano Ronaldo to become first player to achieve a world record at the European Championship.
• Ronaldo is the competition's leading scorer and appearance maker, with 35 goals and 200+ appearances.
• Portugal, under Roberto Martinez, is unbeaten in qualifying and faces the Czech Republic in their Group F showdown.
• Ronaldo scored 35 goals in 31 games in the Saudi Pro League, surpassing the previous record of 34 goals.
• Portugal's 26-man squad for Euro 2024 includes veteran defender Pepe, but excludes Matheus Nunes and Raphael Guerreiro.