Another day, another competition, and yet another record for Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Al Nassr captain came into the UEFA European Championship Germany 2024 off the back of a history-making season in the Roshn Saudi League, in which he set new marks for both goals scored (35) and goal contributions (46) in a single RSL campaign. Thanks in large part to Ronaldo’s prowess up top, Al Nassr finished second in the 2023-24 campaign.
So, the Portuguese superstar travelled to Germany in fine form. And while that hasn’t translated to Ronaldo finding the net in Portugal’s two Group D matches so far, on Saturday he added another bit of history to his already-packed international resume.
In setting up Bruno Fernandes for his side’s third goal in the 3-0 victory against Türkiye – a feint and a short square pass left his former Manchester United teammate with the easiest of finishes – Ronaldo drew alongside Karel Poborsky for the joint-highest tally of assists in European Championship history, with eight.
Now 39, Ronaldo sits already the highest scorer in tournament history, with 14, while his 26 appearances is also unrivalled. He debuted at Euro 2004, when Portugal finished runner-up, while he went on to lift the trophy as captain 12 years later. At the following Euros, in 2021, Ronaldo finished joint-top scorer having struck five goals.
Just as he showed last season with Al Nassr, his pedigree sustains. Last week, when Portugal opened their Euro 2024 campaign with a 2-1 win against Czechia, Ronaldo became the first player to feature at six separate European Championships.
So, the records are simply racking up. And, with Portugal already through to the last 16 in Germany with a match to spare, expect Al Nassr’s star man to have plenty more of an impact on European football’s marquee event.
Check out all of Ronaldo's 2023-24 RSL assists here:
