Cristiano Ronaldo's Euro 2016 performance: Was it really his best?

Heading into Euro 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals in the competition's history (14) and the most finals appearances (five).

His crowning moment was obviously leading Portugal to glory eight years ago, but was Ronaldo's Euro 2016 performance really his best showing at the tournament?

Vital goals prevent early exit

Like many of the sides that have gone on to win big international tournaments, Portugal made a really slow start to Euro 2016. They started the campaign with underwhelming draws against Iceland and Austria, with Ronaldo nowhere near his best. Playing up front alongside Nani, he had a ridiculous 20 attempts on goal across the two games without scoring.

It was shaping up to be a disastrous Euros for both Portugal and Ronaldo, as they trailed Hungary 2-1 early in the second half of their final group game.

However, the legendary forward responded when his country needed him most, twice scoring equalising goals in a match that ended 3-3. The result ensured Portugal scraped through as one of the best third-place teams, despite not winning any of their group fixtures.

Ronaldo slays dragons

There wasn't a great deal to suggest Portugal were on course for their first major international honour as the knockout stage commenced either. They didn't look threatening for long periods in their last 16 tie against Croatia, with Ronaldo subdued and the game looking destined for penalties. That was until Ricardo Quaresma broke the deadlock just three minutes before the end of extra time.

That meant a trip to Marseille and a quarter-final against a Poland side that took the lead after just two minutes through Robert Lewandowski. The game saw a better all-round performance from Ronaldo, but he failed to score or assist in regulation time. However, he did set the tone for the shootout by firing home the first penalty for Portugal, who went on to score every penalty and duly best the Poles 5-3.

Wales were next, and they were the story of the tournament to a considerable extent, having . but the Dragons were slayed by an inspired Cristiano Ronaldo who was at his best in Lyon. The Portugal skipper produced a trademark leap to tower above the Welsh defence and power home the opener on 50 minutes, before teeing up Nani for the second only three minutes later to kill the game off.

Stretchered off in the final

The final of Euro 2016 was a bittersweet occasion for one of the greatest players of all time. Up against host nation France in Paris, Ronaldo was stretchered off in tears in just the 25th minute after a clash with Dimitri Payet.

A victory for Les Bleus, who were red-hot favourites even before the Portuguese lost their talisman, seemed the natural outcome. Former Swansea striker Eder had other ideas though, and became the unlikeliest of heroes with a long-range strike in extra time for the underdogs.

Ronaldo had by this point recovered to take his place on the bench, and the dying moments of the game are perhaps best remembered by the sight of a hobbling Ronaldo on the touchline, frantically barking instructions at his teammates.

To his admirers, it was a moment that encaptured his legendary status as an inspirational figure and captain for the Selecao. To his critics, it was a desperate attempt to make it all about him.

Either way, Ronaldo has left his mark on this tournament like almost nobody else, and his 2016 winner's medal is surely the most prized of the many he has won during an illustrious career.