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When Cristiano Ronaldo slammed a spot-kick past Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi in the Euro 2020 group stage clash between Portugal and Hungary, the footballing world erupted as a whole.
By sending Gulácsi the wrong way, Ronaldo had just surpassed Michael Platini to become the single highest goal-scorer at the tournament, with only Antoine Griezmann now a realistic competitor to Ronaldo at the top. Barring Griezmann, no player at Euro 2020 is even remotely close to toppling Ronaldo at the top.
Furthermore, Ronaldo's 10th and 11th goals of the Euros (his first and second at Euro 2020) were his 105th and 106th for Portugal. Only Ali Daei of Iran has scored more goals for his country - 109. He is, thus, on his way to adding another feather to his cap, with the all-time international goal-scoring record within arm's reach at the Euro 2020.
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However, there is a hidden side to Ronaldo's Euro 2020 record
As many fans were quick to point out, Ronaldo has played a total of 22 games to score his 11 goals, which gives a not-so-fancy goal/game ratio of 0.5. In fact, this year's Euro 2020 is Ronaldo's fifth Euro campaign - a record. He has played more minutes at the event than any other player - 1884 minutes in all.
As hard as it may be to believe for some of his fans, Ronaldo ranks 10th on the list of players with the highest number of goals scored per game. The likes of Griezmann, Rooney, Shearer and Henry all outrank him on this star-filled roster.
This certainly begs the question: who IS at the pinnacle of this statistical record?Let's take a look at the Top 5 players with the highest goals per game ratio at the UEFA European Championship (Euros) through the years leading upto Euro 2020
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Please note: Savo Milošević - who technically ranks second - has not been included here because he has played a mere 4 matches and is 11th on the goal-scoring charts.
5. Patrick Kluivert (9 matches, 6 goals)
Patrick Kluivert was a famous part of Ajax's Golden Generation of the 1990s as a teenager, where he also scored the winner in the 1995 UCL final. At Barca, he formed a dominating pairing with Rivaldo and scored 124 goals for Blaugrana.
Besides his illustrious club career, Patrick was also an important part of the Netherlands team and is the country's third highest goalscorer with 40 goals from 79 appearances.
He missed a big chunk of the 1996 Euro but scored an all-important goal against England to send the Dutch through to the knockouts on goal difference. He also played a vital role in the qualifiers leading up to the Euro.
Kluivert's best tournament was the 2000 Euro where he spearheaded a star-studded Netherlands team. He scored 5 goals, the joint highest, including a hat-trick in a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals.
With a ratio of 0.67, Patrick Kluivert starts us off in fifth place on this list.
Also read: Euro 2020 - Jim Beglin's column - 5 players who could impress in unfamiliar positions
4. Ruud Van Nistelrooy (8 games, 6 goals)
Ruud van Nistelrooy is often considered one of the best strikers of his generation. He has been the top scorer in three separate UEFA Champions League seasons and is the sixth-highest goalscorer in the competition's history with 56 goals. He has also been the top scorer in three different European domestic leagues during his illustrious career, playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Hamburg, Malaga and the Dutch national team.
Interestingly, he made his international debut at Euro 2004, where he scored in all three of the Netherlands' group stage matches and played a pivotal role in their run to the semi-finals. He was also named in the team of the tournament for his 4 goals, a tally second only to Milan Baros.
At the 2008 tournament, he scored two important goals. One in a decisive group stage victory over Italy and the equalizer in Oranje's eventual 3-1 loss to Russia in the quarterfinals.
Thus, with some decisive performances and important goals, van Nistelrooy's 0.75 goals per game is 4th on this list.
Also read: How Joan Laporta and Barca are making all the right noises this transfer window
3. Antoine Griezmann (8 games, 6 goals)
There are few forwards in the modern game and none at Euro 2020, that strike as much fear in defenders' hearts as Antoine Griezmann. His stylish and attractive football has made him one of the most loved strikers in the world today. His performances for France have especially stood out.
In 91 matches for France, he has scored 37 goals and played a vital role in their 2018 World Cup triumph. Scoring 4 goals, he was awarded the Bronze Ball, finishing behind Luka Modric and Eden Hazard.
Griezmann starred for France in the 2016 edition, where he scored 6 goals and assisted 2 in 7 matches. He was awarded the Golden Boot, and named the tournament's best player for his efforts.
UEFA chief technical officer Ioan Lupescu, who led the panel of technical observers that named Griezmann as the best player at Euro 2016, said that he "works hard for his team and possesses technique, vision and quality finishing" and branded him "a threat in every game he played".
No doubt Griezmann still carries that threat here at Euro 2020 and his ratio of 0.75 goals/game speaks volumes about his talent, also putting him at No.3 on this list of Euro stars. If he can even slightly replicate his 2016 form this year, France will almost certainly bring home Euro 2020 and their third European trophy.
Also read: Euro 2020: Top 5 France Players
2. Alan Shearer (9 games, 7 goals)
Alan Shearer needs no introduction. He is the Premier League's record goalscorer, one of the best to ever grace the league. Understandably, he was one of the first two players inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021 as well.
Shearer has 30 goals in 63 matches for his country, England, with 7 of those coming in the European Championship. UEFA Euro 1996 was his biggest success in international football. Shearer scored 5 goals as England reached the semi-finals, falling to Germany in a heart-breaking penalty shoot-out. He was awarded the Golden Boot and included in the Team of the Tournament.
Euro 2000 was Alan Shearer's last tournament as he had decided to go into retirement on its conclusion beforehand. He scored his only international hat-trick in the tournament qualifiers. In the group stage, he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Germany, the first time the English had triumphed over them in 34 years. He also scored in a 3-2 loss against Romania which ended England's run and Shearer's career.
Thus with 7 goals in two editions and 9 games, Alan Shearer is the runner-up on this list with 0.78 goals every game.
1. Michel Platini (5 games, 9 goals)
The only player in the history of the Euros to have a goal/game ratio greater than one, Michel Platini is truly a legend of the game. He won the Ballon d'Or three times, in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and came seventh in the FIFA Player of the Century vote.
Platini's 1984 Euro campaign was absolutely spectacular. It is widely regarded as the single greatest individual performance in an international tournament. He led from the front, scoring 9 of France's 14 goals in an unbeaten campaign for the hosts.
All his 9 goals were all astonishing in their own right. He scored the winner in the opening match against Denmark, followed by wonderful consecutive hat-tricks against Belgium and Yugoslavia as France comfortably topped their group.
In the semi-final against Portugal, even as the tie seemed set to head into penalties, Platini grabbed a winner in the penultimate minute of extra time to break millions of Portuguese hearts and send France into their first ever European final.
Platini's rampage continued as he scored for the fifth game on the trot, opening the scoring in the all-important final versus Spain. His 57th minute strike and a 90th minute goal by Bellone completed what was a fairy-tale triumph for Les Bleus. Platini's name was etched into history as the captain who led France to their first ever international title. And with young stars like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann partaking at Euro 2020, it wouldn't be a surprise to many if they managed at Euro 2020 what Platini achieved in 1984.
Euro 2020 is set to be one of the most intriguing competitions in recent times, with hardened pros and talented youth all coming together for a grand display of the beautiful sport.
Young guns like Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Pedri, Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala will look to show the world their prowess at Euro 2020.
The likes of Olivier Giroud, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mueller, Kroos and countless others will do everything in their power to make Euro 2020 a success for their nations.
In all likelihood they are playing their last Euro here at Euro 2020. Meanwhile, even managers like Joachim Loew and Gareth Southgate would love to stamp their authority on the tournament, adding more spice to an already enticing tournament.
