• One of three Portugal players selected in the UEFA EURO 2012 Team of the Tournament, he therefore repeated his achievement of four years earlier and, as at UEFA EURO 2008, also scored his country's first goal of the finals – against Denmark, in a 3-2 win for which he was named man of the match.

• Travelled to Poland and Ukraine as a Spanish champion, having helped Real Madrid CF to their first Liga title in four years as a regular starter in José Mourinho's team; won the Spanish Super Cup in August as Madrid overcame FC Barcelona on away goals.

• Made nine appearances as Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, where they were defeated only on penalties by FC Bayern München.