The Euros records held by Reds

It’s the 17th edition of the continental tournament, which was first held in 1960, and there is plenty of history to look back on where the Reds are concerned.

Peter Schmeichel (1992) and Fabien Barthez (2000) lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy when contracted to the club, while Luke Shaw (2020) scored in the final as a United player.

But what about the competition’s all-time records – how many are held by those with a Reds connection? As you’ll discover, there are quite a few…

MOST APPEARANCES

This is a clear-cut landmark for Ronaldo, who of course had two separate spells at Old Trafford. The 39-year-old is still going strong, as he’s set to play in a record-extending sixth tournament for Portugal. This week marked 20 years since he first appeared at a Euros, when he scored in the hosts’ opening defeat to eventual champions Greece in 2004. That was the first of 25 Euros appearances for the 2016 winner.

MOST GOALS

Unsurprisingly, Ronaldo is also the championship’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 14 goals, including five at Euro 2020, when he took home the Golden Boot. That performance, which included doubles against Hungary and France, moved him clear of previous record holder Michel Platini. If he manages to notch in Germany, he’ll succeed Austria’s Ivica Vastic – who was 38 in 2008 – as the Euros’ oldest goalgetter.

MOST ASSISTS

Ronaldo’s longevity ensures he also scores highly in the all-time assists charts, with seven. He’s two clear of a host of greats including David Beckham and Bastian Schweinsteiger, but is pipped by another former Red. Karel Poborsky, who was signed after helping Czech Republic to the final of Euro 1996, set up eight goals for his team-mates across the three tournaments in which he appeared, according to The Guardian.

MOST CLEAN SHEETS

Edwin van der Sar was a Euros regular for the Netherlands between 1996 and 2008, playing in 16 games across four tournaments and helping the Dutch to the semi-finals in 2000 and 2004. The former United keeper set a clean-sheet record during his time between the sticks, keeping out the opposition on nine occasions, a mark which was later levelled by Spain’s Iker Casillas.

FASTEST FINAL GOAL

Just 117 seconds had elapsed in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley when Shaw volleyed home Kieran Trippier’s cross to give England the lead over Italy. It was, by far, the fastest goal scored in the competition’s deciding match, overtaking Chus Pereda’s sixth-minute effort for Spain in 1964, although the Three Lions would ultimately end up disappointed, losing to Roberto Mancini’s side on penalties.