On a historic night for the Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo struck a brilliant free-kick strike.
Cristiano Ronaldo set a new men’s international appearance record on Thursday, netting twice in Portugal’s 4-0 win over Liechtenstein in Euro 2024 qualifying. The 38-year-old, who was dropped from Portugal’s first-choice XI during the World Cup in Qatar last year, earned his 197th appearance as a starter in Lisbon. He scored a penalty in the 51st minute, following goals from Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva, before blasting home a free kick 12 minutes later. It was Ronaldo’s 120th goal for his country, making him the first man to achieve 100 goals in competitive internationals. “Records motivate me,” Ronaldo told media on Wednesday.”I want to be the player with the most caps in history.” That would make me very happy.
“But it doesn’t stop there, I still want to be called up very often.”
Ronaldo made his international debut in 2003 and became the first man to score in five World Cups last year before Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals.
He is currently playing for Saudi club Al Nassr after an acrimonious end to his second spell at Manchester United.
Ronaldo’s appearance off the bench in the defeat by Morocco equalled the previous mark of 196 caps held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.
He left the pitch in tears following Portugal’s shock 1-0 loss against the North Africans.
Since leaving Europe, Ronaldo has scored nine goals in 10 matches for Al Nassr.
He was replaced as the starting striker by Goncalo Ramos during the World Cup, with the Benfica youngster scoring a hat-trick in a last-16 win over Switzerland.
