The EURO 2016 final will take place this Sunday at the Stade de France in Paris and one battle on the pitch will take center stage: Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Antoine Griezmann.
Two no. 7’s who will be the main attacking threats for their nation.
[ MORE: France through to final ]
This may be the last chance for Ronaldo, 31, to win a major tournament with his beloved Portugal as the captain has led from the front so far in France with a key goal and assist against Wales in their semifinal win.
As for Griezmann, he’s been a revelation for France after being dropped for their second game of the tournament. He leads EURO 2016 in goals with six from six appearances and the Atletico Madrid star scored twice against Germany in the semifinal in Marseille on Thursday. He’s red hot after scoring five times in his last three games for France.
[ MORE: Ronaldo revels in Portugal success ]
Ronaldo pipped Griezmann to the UEFA Champions League title as Real Madrid’s main man overcome Atleti for the second time in three years ahead of EURO 2016 but now Griezmann is looking for revenge. Of course, Ronaldo is six years older and has not only been crowned the best player on the planet three times but he’s also won the UCL on three occasions and many other trophies for Manchester United and Real Madrid in his club career.
It is very much a case of the master against the apprentice but the younger man, Griezmann, has already become the leading light of this tournament for the hosts France. Now, he will be hoping to lead favorites France past this workmanlike Portuguese team who possess Ronaldo as their only world-class talent.
Let’s break down the stats between these two to see exactly what we’re dealing with.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Age: 31
Club: Real Madrid
Total appearances: 678
Total goals: 487
Total appearances & goals for Portugal: 132 appearances, 61 goals. Ratio of 0.46 goals per game
EURO 2016 appearances & goals: Six appearances, three goals
Goals in 2016 for Portugal: 6 in 9 appearances
Trophies won: Premier League 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09; Champions League 2007-08; FA Cup 2003-04; League Cup 2005-06, 2008-09; Community Shield 2007; Club World Cup 2008 (Manchester United). La Liga 2011-12; UEFA Champions League 2013-14, 2015-16; Copa del Rey 2010-11, 2013-14; Spanish Super Cup 2014; Club World Cup 2014 (Real Madrid)
Major personal honors: Three Ballon d’Or awards
14 - Most goals & assists at EUROs since 2004:@Cristiano 14
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) July 6, 2016
Fàbregas 8
Schweinsteiger 8.
Unrivaled. pic.twitter.com/Pu30Dz5PHY
Antoine Griezmann (France)
Age: 25
Club: Atletico Madrid
Total appearances: 308
Total goals: 109
Total appearances & goals for France: 33 appearances, 13 goals. Ratio of 0.42 goals per game
Goals in 2016 for France: 7 in 9 appearances
EURO 2016 appearances & goals: Six appearances, six goals (leads Golden Boot race)
Trophies won: Segunda Division 2009-10 (Real Sociedad), Spanish Super Cup 2014 (Atletico Madrid)
Major personal honors: None
6 - Antoine Griezmann has scored twice as many goals as any other player at #Euro2016. Boss.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 7, 2016