Euro 2024, for Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe double record with Czech Republic

A double record made in a night ended with a valuable victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe rewrite history at Euro 2024. Portugal’s two veterans faced as starters the Lusitanians’ challenge against the Czech Republic, which was won in extremis thanks to Francisco Conceicao’s goal in full recovery (2-1 the result). Both were però already entered the almanacs of the European Championships from the moment they entered the field. Or, to be precise, from the starting whistle of (Italian) referee Marco Guida.

Thanks to his presence against the Czech Republic, in fact, Cristiano Ronaldo è became the first footballer in history to have played in as many as six editions of the European Championships. The first was in 2004, which was played in Portugal itself and in which the Madeiran star was actually… CR17. The number 7, which would become his already at Euro 2008, was on that occasion entrusted to Luis Figo.

Cristiano Ronaldo then had the opportunity (as captain) to also participate in Euro 2012, 2016 and 2020, with the latter edition of the European Championships played as known in 2021 due to Covid. Of note was the injury he suffered in 2016, with the Lusitanians later becoming European champions. Although he was replaced on 25'by Ricardo Quaresma, it was CR7 who lifted the trophy at the end of the game.

Speaking of Pepe, however, the 1983-born defender è officially became the oldest footballer ever to play a game at a European Championship. On the night of Portugal-Czech Republic he was in fact 41 years, 3 months and 23 days old: beating Gabor Kiraly, a goalkeeper who defended Hungary's posts at 40 years and 86 days. Third, in this particular ranking, è Cristiano Ronaldo himself.