Axel Allam, Media365, published on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 9:11 PM.
By starting alongside Roberto Martinez for Portugal against Liechtenstein in the Euro 2024 qualifiers on Thursday evening, Cristiano Ronaldo became the footballer with the most national caps in history (197).
Cristiano Ronaldo's story continues. For a long time, we thought that the 2022 World Cup quarter-final loss to Morocco with Portugal (0-1) could be his last international match. Especially since his dream of global recognition had faded at the age of 38. However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was called up by Roberto Martinez, former coach of Belgium and new coach of Portugal, with the aim of starting the qualifiers for Euro 2024. “I was able to see situations from different angles.” It taught me a lot, and I am happy to be back. The coach showed that he counts on me, as you know, he spoke to everyone and to me as well, and I realized that I have a lot to offer to the national team. I feel that and I want that and my desire is to take Portugal to the highest level.
And on Thursday evening, he made history again in his own way. With 118 goals for his country, he already held the record for most goals scored in selections, surpassing Iran's Ali Daei with his 109 goals since September 2021, and Lionel Messi (98 goals in 172 selections with Argentina). . On Thursday evening, therefore, by starting against Liechtenstein, Ronaldo became the footballer who participated in the most number of matches with the national team (197). He was previously linked with Bader Al-Mutawa.38+ Called up since June 2022 to Kuwait national team. “Cristiano is our leader, and it is important that we are able to use this experience. […] He is a symbol of the team. “I don't look at age,” Roberto Martinez highlighted his striker who lost his starting place during the last World Cup held under Fernando Santos, the current Poland coach.
