Cristiano Ronaldo had fewer touches than France goalkeeper Mike Maignan in Euro 2024 QF first half as stunning statistic comes to light

In a surprising stat from the first half of Portugal's Euro 2024 quarter-final with France in Hamburg on Friday (July 5), Cristiano Ronaldo had fewer touches of the ball than Les Bleus goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The game was scoreless at the break.

Despite dominating proceedings, Roberto Martinez's side were unable to break the deadlock, while Les Bleus largely looked toothless up front at the other end. However, Ronaldo - making his fifth straight start of the tournament - struggled to get the ball.

As per the BBC, Ronaldo - with 11 touches - had one fewer touch than Maignan, who had the second fewest touches in the first half of the game. France striker Randal Kolo Muani (15), Portugal custodian Diogo Costa (17) and Dayot Upamecano (22) rounded out the five players with the fewest touches.

Ronaldo is yet to find the back of the net in five games at Euro 2024. It's the first time in 11 major tournaments (Euros and FIFA World Cups) that he went through the group stage without scoring.

The 39-year-old notably missed an extra-time penalty in the shootout win over Slovenia in the Round of 16. But he did score in the shootout, which Martinez's side won 3-0 to advance to the last-eight.

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"It's my last Euro" - Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of France clash at Euro 2024

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo said after the Round-of-16 win over Slovenia that he's playing his sixth and final European Championships. Without a goal in four games, Ronaldo is looking to create more history in the competition.

He's looking to become the first player to score in six Euros and also the oldest to score in the competition. However, he admitted that he's playing the Euros for the final time, telling Portugal TV's RTP (via ESPN):

"Without a doubt it's the last Euro [for me], of course it is. But I'm not emotional about that.

"I'm moved by everything that football entails, by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm I see in the fans, having my family here, people's passion... it's not about leaving the world of football. What else is there for me to do or win?"

Can Ronaldo finally open his account at Euro 2024 and take Portugal to the semi-finals?