Mueez Ajao
– Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his world-record 197th men’s international appearance by scoring twice as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener.
Cristiano Ronaldo sets a new world record with his 197th international appearance for Portugal! ๐ต๐น@selecaoportugal #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/XIaI2onK9T
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 23, 2023
– The 38-year-old has now scored a men’s record 120 international goals.
– He made his international debut in 2003 and in Qatar last year became the first man to score in five World Cups.
Also Read: Ronaldo reveals he is better now after โbad phaseโ of career at Man United
– Ronaldo added to his goals tally with a second-half penalty before finding the top corner with a free-kick.
– The forward – now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr – had been frustrated in front of goal during the first period, blazing a clear-cut chance well over the bar with the hosts only having a deflected Joao Cancelo effort as a reward for their dominance.
– However, Bernardo Silva doubled their advantage shortly after the restart with a low effort into the bottom corner, before Ronaldo came to the fore as he reached yet another milestone in fine fashion.
– Ronaldo had moved level with Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa on 196 caps at the World Cup but there were question marks over his international future after Portugal’s elimination by Morocco at the quarter-final stage.
– The five-time Ballon d’Or winner found himself dropped from the Portuguese starting XI at the tournament but justified his selection under new manager Roberto Martinez.
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Nada como entrar a vencer no Apuramento para o Europeu! ๐ช #VesteABandeira #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/vtxHoqsaWk
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) March 23, 2023
