The toughest continental championship of the world has highlighted some of the greatest players in history. The 16th edition of the tournament; the Euro 2020 is just moments away. Hence, we look at the top 10 highest scorers in the history of the competition. The best players in Europe represent their country once in four years to help the team acquire the crown. In this list, we will look at some of the most prolific goalscorers who graced the pitch.

Also read: Euro Cup winners in the past 20 years

List of top 10 highest scorers:

10. Nuno Gomes (Portugal)

One of the best strikers in the game from Portugal features at no. 10. The prolific striker represented his national team in three European championships. He scored six goals in 14 games for Portugal.

9. Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)

One of the legends in the game also known for his crispy dialogues is at no. 9 in the list. The Swedish goalscorer has broken many records in scoring goals. He is also one of the very few players who can be considered in the GOAT debate besides Messi and Ronaldo. Zlatan has scored six goals in 13 Euro matches and also represented Sweden in four different editions.

Also read: Highest International Goalscorers in football history

8. Thierry Henry (France)

One of the greatest players in his generation; Thierry Henry had a huge contribution both in France's World cup and Euro runs. Thierry Henry has scored six goals in the tournament in 11 appearances. He was also a crucial part of the French squad which lifted the trophy in 2000.

7. Wayne Rooney (England)

The very best from England; Wayne Rooney comes at no. 7 in the top 10 highest scorers list. Wayne Rooney has also scored six goals in the Euros and took 10 games to reach the target. The Manchester United legend is also the leading scorer for England with 53 goals in 119 appearances.

6. Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands)

The Dutch striker has been one of the best in the business for clubs like FC Barcelona, AFC Ajax. He scored six goals in nine appearances for the Netherlands national team. He featured in two editions of the Euros (1996 and 2000).

Also read: Euro 2020 Schedule, Groups and Fixtures: Every Detail on Euro 2020

5. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)

Another Dutch figure in the list of top 10 highest goalscorers in Euro history. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored six goals in eight games and featured in two European championships (2004 and 2008).

4. Antoine Griezmann (France)

The golden ball and golden boot winner of the Euro 2016 features at no. 4 in the list of top 10 highest scorers in Euro history. The French forward scored six goals in seven games but failed to guide the team to the title. The FC Barcelona star carries high expectations for France and he needs to perform at his best if France is to win the Euro 2020.

3. Alan Shearer (England)

The highest scorer in the Premier League's history is the third-highest scorer in Euros. He scored seven goals in nine appearances for England. He represented England in three editions (1992, 1996 and 2000).

2. Michel Platini (France)

French legend, Michel Platini was the leading goalscorer in the history of the European Championships with nine goals in five matches till Ronaldo went past him. Interestingly, all his nine goals came in a single edition of the Euro. He led the goal scoring tally for his team and guided France to win the 1984 European Championship.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Arguably the best player on the planet features at no. 1 in this list. The Juventus star has scored 11 goals in 22 appearances for the Portuguese national team and is also tied with the highest goal scorer in Euros. Portugal went on to win the Euro 2016 under his leadership where he had 3 goals to his name.

Also read: Euro 2020: 10 players to watch out for

The Stats are accurate as of June 16, 2021.

The legendary Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho has won more than he's lost, having lifted countless pieces of silverware. But when things don't quite work out as planned, he's brilliant value – an absolute quote goldmine for any back page editor worth their salt.

Here are six occasions in which Jose Mourinho was a monumentally sore loser after suffering defeat.

Chelsea vs Liverpool, 2005

Luis Garcia's ghost goal lives in European footballing infamy. It ultimately proved the difference as Rafael Benitez's Liverpool qualified for the Champions League final at Chelsea's expense in 2005 – and Mourinho responded in a characteristically measured fashion. Ahem.

"Bring out the linesman and ask him why he awarded the goal," Mourinho responded.

"It must be 100% in and he must be 100% sure it is.

"My players say it's not a goal. Other people say nobody can confirm it was a goal. Only one person decided the future of a team and of players who have never played in a Champions League final.

"Players make mistakes and he made a mistake. But I must accept that. Football is sometimes cruel. It sometimes goes your way and sometimes it goes against you.

"They scored if you can say that. You can say the linesman's scored. It was a goal coming from the moon or from the Anfield Road stands."

Also Read: https://sportzpoint.com/football/an-amazing-xl-of-players-jose-mourinho-has-sold-during-his-career/

Chelsea vs Barcelona, 2006

Mourinho had previously served as an assistant to Bobby Robson at the Camp Nou but his past in Catalonia didn't stop him giving it both barrels to Barcelona's golden boy after Chelsea full-back Asier del Horno was sent off for fouling Lionel Messi.

"Can we suspend Messi for what you call in Barcelona play-acting?" Mourinho asked afterwards. "Barcelona is a very cultured city. It's a place where they understand all about the theatre.

"I think it's of course not a red card. The kid is not just a very good player; he's more than that. He jumps and provokes contact with Del Horno and because of that the referee gives him the red card.

"It's not a red card. Of course not, and for the second time we have to play 55-60 minutes without a man and that is completely different."

Mourinho interviewed for the vacancy at Barcelona a couple of years later but the club hired Guardiola instead. Some believe that his comments and tactics were a key reason for him not landing the job.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona,  2011

Barcelona and Real Madrid's epic rivalry reached white-hot new heights when the two clubs faced off four times in the space of three weeks in April 2011.

Pep Guardiola and Mourinho already had a war of words after Madrid beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final and Mourinho didn't back down after losing the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

The Los Blancos coach was incensed by the decision to send off Pepe and went on to go full tinfoil hat about it.

"If I tell UEFA what I really think and feel, my career would end now," Mourinho said.

"Instead I will just ask a question to which I hope one day to get a response: Why? Why? Why Ovrebo? Why Busacca? Why De Bleeckere? Why Stark? Why?

"Because every semi-final the same things happen. We are talking about an absolutely fantastic football team, so why do they need that? Why? Why does a team as good as they are need something that is so obvious that everyone sees it?"

Mourinho's comments earned him a five-match touchline ban and a €50,000 fine.

Chelsea vs Southampton, 2015

Mourinho didn't mince his words with a mammoth seven-minute interview after a 3-1 home defeat to Southampton left Chelsea sitting 16th in the Premier League table in October 2015.

"I think it's time to be a little bit honest and to say, clearly, the referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea," he said in a Sky Sports interview.

" the result 1-1, it's a huge penalty, and once more we don't get .

"I repeat, if the FA wants to punish me they can punish me. They don't punish other managers, they punish me, it's not a problem for me.

"I want to say it again – referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea. Why? Because when they give there is always a question mark from you, there is always a question, there is always a critic, so we are always punished."

Man Utd vs Sevilla, 2018

Mourinho was keen to offer a healthy dose of perspective with a history lesson after Manchester United's Champions League elimination at the hands of Sevilla in 2018.

"I say to the fans that the fans are the fans and have the right to their opinions and reactions but there is something that I used to call football heritage," he said after the final whistle.

"And what a manager inherits is something like the last time Manchester United won the Champions League which didn't happen a lot of times, was in 2008.

"So in seven years with four different managers, once not qualify for Europe, twice out in the group phase and the best was the quarter-final, this is football heritage and if you want to go to the Premier League, the last victory was 2012-13 and in the four consecutive seasons United finish fourth fifth, sixth and seventh."

Roma vs Sevilla, 2023

Sevilla's football heritage proved stronger than Mourinho's in the ill-tempered and supremely niggly 2023 Europa League final.

A total of 146 minutes – including 26(!) of injury time – were played out in Budapest before Sevilla triumphed on penalties, ending Mourinho's 100% record of winning European finals. No fewer than 13 bookings were dished out – seven for Roma, including Mourinho himself (naturally).

"Next year we won't be playing the Champions League and that's a good thing because we're not made for it," Mourinho told reporters in his post-match press conference.

"And let's hope that Taylor, only officiates games in the Champions League and does the same bullsh*t there that he did tonight, and not in the Europa League.

"It was an intense, vibrant game with a referee who seemed Spanish. It was yellow, yellow, yellow all the time. Today in all the dubious episodes, the yellow cards, the referee blew the whistle in favour of Sevilla."

The 60-year-old proceeded to make sure his dignity remained intact by doing his best Didier Drogba impression and chasing after Antony Taylor in the car park, yelling "It's a f*cking disgrace!".

Sevilla vs AS Roma  ended on high drama 4-1 on penalties on Wednesday to win the Europa League for a record-extending seventh time for Sevilla. Handing Jose Mourinho his first defeat in six European finals.

Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou saved spot kicks from Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez while Sevilla were flawless in their execution, scoring their first four. The game had finished 1-1 after extra time.

Paulo Dybala gave the Italians the lead from a counter-attack in the 35th minute but Sevilla then took control of the game and found the equaliser thanks to an own-goal by Mancini in the 55th minute.

The win means Sevilla will compete in next season's Champions League despite finishing outside the top four in the LaLiga.

Sevilla vs AS Roma: Match Summary

Gonzalo Montiel's retaken spot kick ensured that Sevilla became Europa League champions for the seventh time in their history as they defeated Jose Mourinho's Roma on penalties at the end of a torturous final in Budapest.

Sevilla dominated the ball for large swathes of the first half, but couldn't break down Mourinho's resolute side and it was the Italian outfit that took the lead just after the half hour mark when Paolo Dybala, an injury doubt coming into the game, fired calmly past Bounou to send the Roma fans into delirium.

Increíble mi Sevilla… ¡¡Ya van siete!!
Enhorabuena por seguir haciendo historia, @SevillaFC ¡Os lo merecéis! 💪🏻 https://t.co/fyOiTALLLd

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) May 31, 2023

Still Sevilla dominated, with Ivan Rakitic hitting the inside of the post in first-half stoppage time as Jose Mourinho's side held on.

The second half of Sevilla vs AS Roma, however, was a different story. With Sevilla introducing both Luis Ocampos and Suso, the European specialists looked much more of a threat and deservedly levelled the tie 10 minutes into the second half when Gianluca Mancini could only bundle a Jesus Navas cross into his own net.

Twenty minutes later, Sevilla's pressure looked as though it had forced another mistake from Roma, only for VAR to overturn Anthony Taylor's decision to award a penalty for a clumsy-looking challenge from Ibanez.

📸 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜, 𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗜, 𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗜 ❤️#UELfinal #NadieLaQuiereComoNosotros pic.twitter.com/GOXGf3HWEL

— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) May 31, 2023

Extra time beckoned, with neither side threatening, and an extra 30 minutes failed to seperate the sides either in a game that turned into a low quality affair, leaving the two sides only to be seperated by a penalty shoot out.

Roma defenders Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez both saw their efforts saved and hit the woodwork, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to slot home the winner as he did for Argentina in the World Cup six months prior.

He too missed, but was handed a second chance when the referee spotted encroachment, and made no mistake second time round, handing the Spanish giants an unprecedented seventh Europa League title.

Facing the unenviable task of trying to record a three-goal win over the reigning European champions, Chelsea vs Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night.

Match Details:

• Location: London, England
• Stadium: Stamford Bridge
• Date: Tuesday 18 April
• Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
• VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Match Preview

Chelsea were probably fortunate to leave Madrid last week with this tie still (relatively) in the balance for Chelsea vs Real Madrid tomorrow. They were outclassed by Carlo Ancelotti's men in the Santiago Bernabéu and, given Ben Chillwell's red card on the hour mark with Lampard's side already a goal down, a 2-0 defeat wasn't a nightmarish outcome. 

It is, however, still going to be an exceptionally difficult deficit to overcome. History tells us as much. 

Real Madrid have progressed from 18 of their 19 UEFA Champions League ties after winning the first leg by two or more goals, failing only in 2003-04 against Monaco in the quarter-final (4-2 first leg, 1-3 second leg, eliminated on away goals rule). The UCL veterans know how to see games out when they hold the advantage. 

Ancelotti's side are just a different animal in Europe's premier club competition. They've won nine of their last 11 UEFA Champions League matches (D1 L1), and each of their last five knockout matches. All five of those wins have come against English clubs, and another one is in their crosshairs once again. 

Yes, Chelsea have progressed in the last two occasions that they lost their opening away leg by two clear goals (versus Napoli in 2011-12 and against Paris Saint-Germain in 2013-14), but that was a very different time. 

Also Read: sportzpoint.com/football/5-big-teams-who-will-miss-uefa-champions-league-next-season/

Team News:

Chelsea:

Ben Chilwell was sent off in the first leg and will be suspended for this one, joining injured centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly on the sidelines after the Senegal international pulled up in the first fixture.

Thiago Silva, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kai Havertz and Joao Felix all trained on Monday after being rested in the recent defeat to Brighton.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Noni Madueke are not registered in Chelsea's European squad.

Real Madrid:

It's business as usual for Carlo Ancelotti, whose only absentee remains left-back Ferland Mendy. Despite Nacho Fernandez's goalscoring showing at the weekend, expect Eduardo Camavinga to reclaim this spot.

Vinicius Junior and Toni Kroos were both rested against Cadiz but the duo should return here.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Head to Head:

Chelsea have lost two of their last three matches against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, with both defeats coming in the quarterfinals of the competition.

Real Madrid won their previous game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - no team has ever secured two away victories against the Blues in the UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Predicted Line-ups:

Chelsea (3-5-2): Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, Fofana; James, Kovacic, Fernandez, Kante, Cucurella; Havertz, Felix.

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.

CHE vs RMA: Fantasy XI

Chelsea vs Real Madrid Fantasy XI: Courtois; Carvajal,Silva, Fofana, Kroos, Modric,Fernandez, Kante, Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius, Felix.

Facing the unenviable task of trying to record a three-goal win over the reigning European champions, Chelsea vs Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night.

Match Details:

• Location: London, England
• Stadium: Stamford Bridge
• Date: Tuesday 18 April
• Referee: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
• VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (ITA)
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Match Preview

Chelsea were probably fortunate to leave Madrid last week with this tie still (relatively) in the balance for Chelsea vs Real Madrid tomorrow. They were outclassed by Carlo Ancelotti's men in the Santiago Bernabéu and, given Ben Chillwell's red card on the hour mark with Lampard's side already a goal down, a 2-0 defeat wasn't a nightmarish outcome. 

It is, however, still going to be an exceptionally difficult deficit to overcome. History tells us as much. 

Real Madrid have progressed from 18 of their 19 UEFA Champions League ties after winning the first leg by two or more goals, failing only in 2003-04 against Monaco in the quarter-final (4-2 first leg, 1-3 second leg, eliminated on away goals rule). The UCL veterans know how to see games out when they hold the advantage. 

Together as one ahead of tomorrow. 💙 #UCL pic.twitter.com/u3WqAoXpDi

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 17, 2023

Ancelotti's side are just a different animal in Europe's premier club competition. They've won nine of their last 11 UEFA Champions League matches (D1 L1), and each of their last five knockout matches. All five of those wins have come against English clubs, and another one is in their crosshairs once again. 

🔴 LIVE: Listen to @edermilitao and @MrAncelotti speak to the press ahead of @ChelseaFC!#UCL https://t.co/C8wJNVBWbc

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 17, 2023

Yes, Chelsea have progressed in the last two occasions that they lost their opening away leg by two clear goals (versus Napoli in 2011-12 and against Paris Saint-Germain in 2013-14), but that was a very different time. 

Also Read: sportzpoint.com/football/5-big-teams-who-will-miss-uefa-champions-league-next-season/

Team News:

Chelsea:

Ben Chilwell was sent off in the first leg and will be suspended for this one, joining injured centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly on the sidelines after the Senegal international pulled up in the first fixture.

😜#UCL pic.twitter.com/O6Ep8q6urG

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 17, 2023

Thiago Silva, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kai Havertz and Joao Felix all trained on Monday after being rested in the recent defeat to Brighton.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Noni Madueke are not registered in Chelsea's European squad.

Real Madrid:

It's business as usual for Carlo Ancelotti, whose only absentee remains left-back Ferland Mendy. Despite Nacho Fernandez's goalscoring showing at the weekend, expect Eduardo Camavinga to reclaim this spot.

📋✅ Our squad for the match 🆚 @ChelseaFC!#UCL pic.twitter.com/vqheJM9FIr

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 17, 2023

Vinicius Junior and Toni Kroos were both rested against Cadiz but the duo should return here.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Head to Head:

Chelsea have lost two of their last three matches against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, with both defeats coming in the quarterfinals of the competition.

Real Madrid won their previous game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – no team has ever secured two away victories against the Blues in the UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Predicted Line-ups:

Chelsea (3-5-2): Kepa; Chalobah, Silva, Fofana; James, Kovacic, Fernandez, Kante, Cucurella; Havertz, Felix.

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.

CHE vs RMA: Fantasy XI

Chelsea vs Real Madrid Fantasy XI: Courtois; Carvajal,Silva, Fofana, Kroos, Modric,Fernandez, Kante, Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius, Felix.

Portuguese Primeira Liga leaders Benfica will come up against Serie A giants Internazionale in this match, hoping to end a winless sequence against them. Benfica vs Inter, losing the 1965 European Cup final against them before losing over two legs (one draw, one loss) in the 2003-04 UEFA Cup round of 16 stage.

Match Details:

• Date: Tuesday, April 11
• Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST / 5 a.m. AEST (Wed, April 12)
• Location: Estadio Da Luz (Lisbon, Portugal)
• Official: Michael Oliver (ENG)

Benfica vs Inter: Match Preview

Benfica will be hoping the loss against FC Porto was a minor blip in an otherwise successful season as they stay on track to make it past the quarter-finals for the first time since losing the final to AC Milan in 1990. The defeat to Porto came as a surprise, as Benfica had been dominating domestically and in Europe. It was only their second defeat, following a loss in Braga 17 matches earlier.

Benfica have been one of the surprise packages of the Champions League this season after starting in the third qualifying round. They went on an unbeaten run to finish top in a difficult group that included powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus before making light work of Belgian champions Club Brugge in the Round of 16.

throughout the campaign as well. Only Napoli have scored more than Benfica's 23 goals. On the other hand, no quarter-finalist has recorded fewer goals than the 11 netted by Inter, who got past Porto in the last 16.

Things have not been going all that well for Inter in Serie A of late. If Inter are not in full-fledged crisis mode heading into tomorrow's encounter at the Estadio da Luz, they are very close, with Simone Inzaghi coming under intense criticism from his own fans.

Recent dropped points in Serie A have become a massive issue, as the only goal that the team have scored from open play in more than 500 minutes of action, Robin Gosens's early opener against Salernitana on Friday, was quickly followed by numerous missed opportunities and the concession of a late equaliser.

The fact that the team has been so wasteful with their chances has certainly been a cause for concern. If Inter continue to finish chances at the same rate as they have in previous games against Benfica, there is little chance that they will advance to the Champions League semi-finals.

Team News:

Benfica:

Benfica will be without four key players in Julian Draxler, Alexander Bah, Goncalo Guedes and Mihailo Ristic, though none of fresh issues.

Flying left-back Alex Grimaldo will hope to add to his five goal involvements in eight Champions League games.

Inter Milan:

Inter Milan are sweating on the fitness of both Milan Skriniar and Hakan Calhanoglu ahead of the game. Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to start, with Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko preferred.

Benfica vs Inter Milan: Head to Head:

Inter Milan have an excellent record against Benfica and have won three out of the four matches played between the two teams, with the other match ending in a draw.

The only meeting between Benfica and Inter Milan in the European Cup took place in 1965, with Benfica losing to Helenio Herrera's legendary Nerazzurri side by a 1-0 scoreline.

Also Read: https://sportzpoint.com/football/lionel-messi-first-player-to-score-against-40-different-teams-in-champions-league/

Predicted Line-ups:

Benfica (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Verissimo, Antonio Silva, Grimaldo; Luis, Chiquinho; Aursnes, Rafa Silva, Mario; Ramos

Inter Milan (3-5-2): Onana; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Martinez

FCB vs IM: Fantasy XI

Onana; Antonio Silva, Grimaldo, Bastoni; Dumfries, Luis, Barella, Brozovic, Rafa Silva, Mario; Ramos, Martinez