Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that Euro 2024 will mark his farewell from the European Championship stage. At 39 years old, Ronaldo shared this news with Portuguese broadcaster RTP, amidst his record-breaking sixth appearance at the Euros and Portugal’s advancement to the quarterfinals, where they will face France in Hamburg on Friday.
In an interview following Portugal’s tense penalty-shootout victory over Slovenia on Monday, Ronaldo confirmed, “It is, without doubt, my last European Championship. But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by all that football means — by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing my supporters, my family, the affection people have for me.“
Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldo has been one of football’s most prolific scorers, holding a record 14 goals in European Championships alone. Despite the emotional ups and downs, including tears shed during the Slovenia game after missing a crucial penalty in extra time, Ronaldo’s primary focus now is on “making people happy.“
Check Ronaldo’s UEFA EURO records here.
Reflecting on his future in football, Ronaldo stated, “It’s not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win? It’s not going to come down to one point more or one point less.“
As we look back on Ronaldo’s Euro journey over the years, his impact and legacy remain undeniable.
CRISTIANO RONALDO YEAR BY YEAR STATS IN EUROS (as of July 01, 2024)
| Year | Matches Played | Goals | Assists | Final Position |
| 2004 | 6 | 2 | 2 | Runner-up |
| 2008 | 4 | 1 | 3 | Quarterfinal |
| 2012 | 5 | 3 | 0 | Semifinal |
| 2016 | 7 | 3 | 3 | Winner |
| 2020 | 4 | 5 | 1 | Round of 16 |
| 2024* | 3 | 0 | 1 | Round of 16* |
As Cristiano Ronaldo gets ready to say goodbye to the European Championship stage after Euro 2024, his legacy shines brightly with an unmatched determination and a deep love for the game.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
