LISBON, Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo broke the lads’s worldwide look document on Thursday by beginning Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier in opposition to Liechtenstein.
The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese beginning XI through the World Cup in Qatar final 12 months, gained a 197th cap for his nation.
“Records are my motivation,” Ronaldo advised reporters on Wednesday.
“I want to become the most capped player in history. That would make me proud.
“But it does not cease there, I nonetheless need to be referred to as up fairly 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.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will also be hoping to increase his record tally of 118 international goals as Portugal begin their qualification campaign for next year’s European Championship in Germany.
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.
But veteran coach Fernando Santos stepped down following the tournament and new boss Roberto Martinez has immediately put his faith in Ronaldo, who also captains the side.
There were questions over whether his 20-year international career had ended in Qatar as Ronaldo will be 39 by the time Euro 2024 kicks off.
But Martinez, who left his role as Belgium coach after the World Cup, has strongly defended his decision to keep Ronaldo in the fold.
“I don’t take a look at the age,” said Martinez when he announced his first squad last week.
The Spaniard added his squad announcement was the “start line” for Euro 2024, suggesting Ronaldo is more likely to be concerned if Portugal qualify for the match.
Ronaldo provides the worldwide look landmark to a powerful record of particular person data.
He is the main goalscorer in European Championship finals with 14 targets and has netted a document 140 instances within the Champions League.
Ronaldo has additionally completed because the top-scorer in three of Europe’s high 5 leagues — in England, Spain and Italy.
Portugal will go to Luxembourg of their second Group J qualifier on Sunday.
They have additionally been drawn alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Slovakia. — Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
