Cristiano Ronaldo masih bisa tampil gemilang di Liga Champions pada usia 41 tahun, demikian disampaikan Louis Saha, mantan rekan setim sang GOAT asal Portugal di Manchester United, kepada GOAL. Pemegang lima gelar Ballon d’Or yang kini membela Al-Nassr di Liga Pro Arab Saudi ini dianggap memiliki “tiga hal” yang membuatnya “unik” dan mampu bersinar di panggung mana pun.
Diego Simeone mempertanyakan kualitas taktis dari laga seru berujung sembilan gol antara Paris Saint-Germain dan Bayern Munich, dengan menyatakan bahwa pertandingan yang diwarnai banyak gol sering kali menjadi mimpi buruk bagi para manajer. Pelatih Atletico Madrid itu menyampaikan penilaiannya yang blak-blakan setelah menyaksikan timnya berjuang keras hingga berakhir imbang 1-1 dalam laga leg pertama semifinal melawan Arsenal.
Dengan duopoli Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo yang tampaknya mulai memudar, persaingan untuk meraih Ballon d'Or belum pernah terasa seketat ini selama hampir 20 tahun terakhir, di mana kini banyak pemain yang memulai setiap musim dengan keyakinan bahwa mereka memiliki peluang untuk merebut penghargaan individu paling bergengsi di dunia sepak bola. Ousmane Dembele bangkit dari karier yang diwarnai cedera dan performa yang tidak konsisten untuk memenangkan Golden Ball pada tahun 2025, dan ia kini menjadi salah satu dari sekian banyak pesaing setahun kemudian.
Diego Simeone menjadi sorotan setelah insiden pasca-pertandingan, menyusul perilakunya di pinggir lapangan saat Atletico Madrid bermain imbang 1-1 melawan Arsenal yang disebut-sebut "sangat buruk". Pelatih asal Argentina itu dituduh memberikan pengaruh yang tidak semestinya kepada wasit Danny Makkelie selama proses tinjauan VAR yang krusial, yang mengakibatkan The Gunners tidak mendapatkan tendangan penalti pada babak kedua.
Antoine Griezmann berbagi kisahnya tentang malam yang penuh emosi di Metropolitano, di mana alasan menyentuh di balik keputusannya untuk membelakangi lagu kebangsaan Liga Champions pun terungkap. Bintang asal Prancis itu menjadi pemain paling menonjol dalam laga imbang 1-1 Atletico Madrid melawan Arsenal, namun perhatiannya sama besarnya tertuju pada tribun penonton seperti halnya di lapangan saat ia menjalani laga perpisahan kandang di kompetisi Eropa.
Kylian Mbappe belum berhasil meraih trofi Liga Champions dan Ballon d’Or, namun mantan pemain timnas Prancis Louis Saha mengutip Cristiano Ronaldo sebagai contoh mengapa nasib bisa berubah dengan cepat bagi seorang “kucing hitam”. Keberuntungan belum berpihak pada Mbappe, meski ia adalah seorang superstar pemenang Piala Dunia, namun penghargaan paling bergengsi itu diperkirakan akan ia raih pada waktunya.
Who has won the most European Championship titles?
Spain are the most successful side in the European Championship, having lifted the coveted title four times. Their first-ever title came in 1964. After a long wait of 44 years, La Roja won the trophy in 2008 and successfully defended it in 2012 under the-then boss Vicente del Bosque. They won the most recent edition in 2024 and set a record of winning every single game en route to glory.
How many teams are in the European Championship?
There are 24 teams in the European Championships ever since the expansion in 2016. Initially there were only four teams in the Euros, before that number was doubled to eight in 1980, and then to 16 countries in 1996.
Who has made the most European Championship appearances ever?
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo has made 30 appearances in the European Championship, having featured in six consecutive editions. He won the tournament in 2016.
Who is the all-time top scorer in the European Championship?
No player has scored more goals in the European Championship than the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo. The 39-year-old has scored 14 goals in 30 games in total, five more than any other player.
Who is the oldest player ever in the European Championship and how old was he?
Portugal centre-back Pepe was aged 41 years and 130 days when his team took on France in the quarter-final of the 2024 edition, thus becoming the oldest player to ever feature in the European Championship.
Who is the youngest player ever in the European Championship and how old was he?
Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal has been creating a host of records since breaking out at Barcelona in 2023. He was a crucial contributor in Spain's EURO 2024 victory, and also became the youngest player ever to feature in the European Championship finals, making his debut in the tournament at the age of 16 years and 338 days.
Which famous players have played in the European Championship?
Paolo Maldini, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Manuel Neuer, Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas, Eden Hazard, Michel Platini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Gareth Bale are some of the most prominent names to have represented their nations at the European Championship.
Which famous managers have managed in the European Championship?
Roberto Mancini, Ronald Koeman, Guus Hiddink, Dino Zoff, Antonio Conte, Andriy Shevchenko, Luis Enrique, Miguel Munoz, Kevin Keegan, Frank Rijkaard, Arrigo Sacchi, Julian Nagelsmann, etc are some of the most famous managers to have managed in the European Championship.