Cristiano Ronaldo breaks all-time men’s international caps record

LISBON: Cristiano Ronaldo broke the men’s international appearance record on Thursday by starting Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein. The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese starting XI during the World Cup in Qatar last year, won a 197th cap for his country. “Records are my motivation,” Ronaldo told reporters on Wednesday.

“I want to become the most capped player in history. That would make me proud. “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.

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.