17 June,2021 02:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Cristiano Ronaldo and Michel Platini (L) in 2014. Picture/ AFP
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace during Portugal's opening match against Hungary at the Euro 2020. In doing so, Ronaldo broke former French footballer Michel Platini's 37-year-old record.
Michel Platini had scored a staggering 9 goals in just one edition of the European Championships back in 1984 and the record was unmatched until Ronaldo scored a penalty against Hungary.
Furthermore, the Juventus striker went on to score another goal during extra time to take his Euro goal tally to 11. Today we take a look at the top five leading goalscorers in the history of the European Championship tournament.
The top 5 list includes two French footballers - the other being Antoine Griezmann, who also scored his 6 goals in just a single edition, 2016.
1 - Cristiano Ronaldo: 11
Team - Portugal. Matches played - 22. Tournaments - 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020.
2 - Michel Platini: 9
Team - France. Matches played - 5. Tournaments - 1984
3 - Alan Shearer: 7
Team - England. Matches played - 9. Tournaments - (1992), 1996, 2000.
4 - Antoine Griezmann: 6
Team - France. Matches played - 8. Tournaments - 2016, (2020).
5 Ruud van Nistelrooy: 6
Team - Netherlands. Matches played - 8. Tournaments - 2004, 2008.
The other footballers who also scored 6 goals each at the European Championships are Patrick Kluivert, Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Nuno Gomes.
