Cristiano Ronaldo scored a record-setting brace in his world-record 197th men’s international appearance as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward has now scored a men’s record 120 international goals with his 51st minute penalty and his fierce freekick in the 63rd minute.
Ronaldo made his international debut for Portugal in 2003, scoring in every year for the two decades he has been with the A Selecao, and in Qatar last year became the first man to score in five World Cups.
The forward – now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr – also became the first man to score 100 times in competitive internationals after Joao Cancelo’s shot had been deflected in for the A Selecao’s opener and then Bernardo Silva’s low finish into the bottom corner.
Ronaldo, who had moved level with Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa on 196 caps at the World Cup, had question marks over his international future after Portugal’s elimination by Morocco at the quarter-final stage with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner being dropped from the Portuguese starting XI at the tournament.
The 38-year-old justified his selection as captain in new manager Roberto Martinez’s first game in charge.
He has now amassed 830 career goals including 60 freekicks.