Ronaldo has become the first player in the history of men’s international football to reach 200 senior appearances for his country, while he extended his record as men’s international football’s all-time leading scorer.
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his record 200th game for Portugal in style, scoring the late winner in their 1-0 victory at Iceland on Tuesday.
Ronaldo is the first men’s player to reach such a milestone at international level. He made his senior Portugal debut all the way back in August 2003 against Kazakhstan.
The 37-year-old extended his other impressive record as the all-time leading scorer in international football, chalking up his 123rd goal in the dying embers of Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier at Iceland.
The Selecao were denied by their resolute hosts for much of the evening, but the game turned in the 81st minute when Willum Willumsson was given a second yellow card after fouling Goncalo Inacio.
Eight minutes later, Ronaldo grabbed the winner, which was awarded after a lengthy and nervy VAR check for offside.
Speaking post-match, Ronaldo said: “I’m so happy. To reach 200 caps is the kind of moment that you never expect. It’s an unbelievable achievement. And of course to score the winning goal makes it even more special.”
Ronaldo had been honoured pre-match with a Guinness World Record plaque to mark his latest achievement, while in a press conference he hailed this latest feat as ‘extremely important’.
“Two hundred games played proves the love I have for my country. For me it is an extremely important milestone. It means a lot. [Two hundred] is a beautiful number that [no men’s player] has. I’m very proud because this is something I never thought I could reach. And I’m continuing to set records,” he said prior to Portugal’s win.
Portugal remain top of qualifying group J having taken four wins from four under new manager Roberto Martinez.
