UEFA Euro Preview: Ronaldo Aims for More Records as Portugal Targets Opener, Czech Republic Hopes for Upset

At 3:00 AM on June 19th, the opening match of Group F in the UEFA Euro pits Portugal against the Czech Republic. Ronaldo is set to feature in his sixth European Championship, continuing to break records.

Portugal currently ranks 6th in FIFA and 4th in Europe, behind France, Belgium, and England. With a team value of 1.05 billion euros, they are the fourth team to surpass the 1 billion euro mark, following England, France, and Brazil.

Under Martinez’s leadership, Portugal has been in impressive form, securing qualification to the main tournament with a perfect 10 wins in 10 matches in the qualifiers. They have posted a record of 13 victories and 2 losses in their last 15 games. At 39, Ronaldo remains a key attacking force, scoring 12 goals and providing 2 assists in his last 11 international appearances.

The Czech Republic, currently 36th in the world, has a total squad value of just 187 million euros, a fraction of Portugal’s worth. However, the Eastern European side boasts solid players like Soucek, Coufal, Hlozek, Barák, and Schick. Since 2023, they have lost only once in 14 matches, achieving 9 wins and 4 draws.

Portugal and the Czech Republic are no strangers, having clashed five times previously, with Portugal claiming four victories and one defeat. Notably, the two teams have crossed paths thrice in the European Championship, with the Czechs defeating Portugal in the quarterfinals of the 1996 edition before reaching the final. In 2008, Ronaldo starred with a goal and two assists in a 3-1 victory, and in 2012, he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win that propelled Portugal to the semifinals. In the 2022 UEFA Nations League, Portugal won both encounters 2-0 and 4-0, with Ronaldo assisting once.

Ronaldo has enjoyed facing the Czechs, contributing two goals and three assists in four career meetings, directly involved in five goals. Despite his influence as the team’s leading scorer and senior figure, his role – starter or impact substitute – will be a decision for Martinez to make considering his age.

As the all-time top scorer in the history of the European Championship with 14 goals in 25 appearances, Ronaldo’s national team tally stands at 130 goals, and his overall career goals number 895, both records. Whether he can reach the 900-goal milestone in the Euros remains to be seen.

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