Ronaldo Determined To Show Off Again At Euro 2024, Aiming For 900th Goal

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo wants to perform optimally at Euro 2024 (photo: x @Cristiano)

JAKARTA - Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been an example of the toughness of a footballer for more than two decades in his brilliant career. He broke many records and played for some of the world's biggest clubs. Now he is determined to leave a sweet trail at Euro 2024.

Ronaldo's move from the elite European scene to Saudi Arabia after a disappointing appearance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which ended in a shock defeat to Portugal 0-1 to Morocco in the quarter-finals, has raised questions as to whether Ronaldo's now 39-year-old brilliant career is nearing its end.

However, Ronaldo will prove that he can still exert influence at the highest level and will arrive in Germany for Euro 2024 as the trusted leader of the talented team under the guidance of former Belgian manager Roberto Martinez.

Among his many achievements, Ronaldo is the man's top scorer in international football history, with 128 goals in 204 official matches. Nearly 20 years have passed since Ronaldo's first goal for Portugal against Greece at Euro 2004 until his latest goal against Lichtenstein in November 2023, with the peak of his international career winning at Euro 2016.

Ronaldo has scored 891 goals in his career, holds the record for the most goals in Champions League history with 140 goals, and is the only player to score in five consecutive European Championship tournaments. He will try to extend the record in Germany as it approaches 900 goals, a figure he could possibly achieve during the tournament. However, the goal is higher.

"It will be quite difficult to reach 1,000 goals, but it depends on my mental state, my motivation," Ronaldo said after scoring two goals against Slovakia.

"If physically, my legs treat me the best I treat them... We'll see. To reach 1,000, you have to reach 900 first. I think I will achieve it," Ronaldo said.

Setelah mencetak 10 gol dalam 12 pertandingan terakhir bersama Portugal dan 42 gol dalam 41 pertandingan dengan Al-Nassr musim ini, mentalitas tak kendali menyerah Ronaldo bisa menjadi tidak baginya untuk membuat pernyataan dengan negaranya di Jerman melawan segala halang.