Cristiano Ronaldo has recorded an incredible stat at Euro 2024 and it is scarcely believable.
It’s fair to say that Ronaldo knows a thing or two about succeeding at the European Championship.
The Portuguese superstar came close to becoming a European champion aged just 19, but he could not prevent his side from suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Greece in the final of Euro 2004.
12 years later Ronaldo righted those wrongs when he captained Portugal to victory at Euro 2016 in France, even though he limped out of the final due to injury.
At 39, Euro 2024 could be the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s final chance to win a major tournament with his country.
After an unconvincing opening game win against Czechia, Portugal blew Turkiye away with a 3-0 victory to secure top spot in Group F.
Ronaldo hasn’t got off the mark yet, although against Turkiye he did selflessly square the ball for Bruno Fernandes to pass into an empty net instead of taking a shot himself.
Over the two games it’s been obvious that the 39-year-old is past his best, both physically and technically.
That said, one stat from his performances shows that he certainly isn’t close to hanging up his boots.
At Euro 2024 Ronaldo has clocked a top speed of 32.7 km/h, the fastest speed he has registered at any European Championship since UEFA started recording player speeds in 2012.
At Euro 2012, when he was 27, Ronaldo hit a top speed of 32 km/h. Four years later in France his speed fell to 29.1 km/h, before it rose to 29.7 km/h at Euro 2020 (played in 2021).
That the veteran attacker has recorded his fastest ever speed at a Euros at the age of 39 is incredible, and is testiment to the way he continues to look after his body and give his all for his country.