The Euros are here! The 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany will take place from June 14 to July 14, 2024. Before the kick-off, let’s look back at some Euro records:
Most Successful Nations —— Germany (West Germany), Spain: 3 Titles
Germany has won the title in 1972, 1980, and 1996. However, since the turn of the century, the German national team hasn’t added another trophy. Still, they share the record for most Euro titles with Spain. Germany is also the team with the most runner-up finishes, having been second in 1972, 1996, and 2008.
Spain triumphed in 1964, 2008, and 2012, with the latter two victories part of an unprecedented treble (2008 Euro – 2010 World Cup – 2012 Euro).
Top Scorer in Euro History —— Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 14 Goals
In 2004, a 19-year-old Portuguese prodigy named “小小罗” made his first appearance at the Euros. Over the next two decades, he represented Portugal in five tournaments, playing 25 matches and scoring 14 goals, making him the all-time top scorer in Euro history. Ronaldo helped his country win the 2016 championship, and as he enters his sixth Euro, he still has a chance to extend his goal-scoring record.
Most Assists in Euro History —— Pavel Nedvěd (Czech Republic): 8 Assists
When you think of Czech footballers, who comes to mind? Ballon d’Or winner “Iron Man” Pavel Nedvěd or Chelsea’s goalkeeping legend Petr Čech? Neither! Today, we honor an unassuming Czech midfield maestro: Pavel Nedvěd. With 118 appearances for the national team, he holds the Czech record and leads in Euro assists (8). In the 1996 quarterfinals, his sublime chip into the box helped the Czech Republic defeat Portugal 1-0 and advance to the semis. Four years later, in the 2004 quarterfinals against Denmark, Nedvěd set up Jan Koller and Vratislav Lokvenc for crucial goals. He remains a symbol of enduring excellence.
Most Appearances in Euro —— Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 25 Matches
Besides being the top scorer, Ronaldo holds the record for most appearances, surpassing compatriots Pepe (19) and João Moutinho (19). This underscores Ronaldo’s longevity in international competition.
Most Goals in a Single Euro —— Michel Platini (France): 9 Goals
Among the many great Euro strikers, only one reigns as the all-time leading scorer: Frenchman Michel Platini. In Euro 1984, he scored nine goals across five matches, a record yet to be broken. Platini netted seven goals in the group stage alone, including consecutive hat-tricks, another Euro record as the only player to achieve two hat-tricks in the main tournament. His free-kick winner in the final against Spain secured France’s Euro title. In 2016, French forward Antoine Griezmann’s six goals in seven games came close to Platini’s feat.