{"id":48297,"date":"2023-03-23T13:45:32","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T13:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/03\/23\/ronaldo-on-brink-of-more-international-history\/"},"modified":"2023-03-23T13:45:32","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T13:45:32","slug":"ronaldo-on-brink-of-more-international-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/03\/23\/ronaldo-on-brink-of-more-international-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Ronaldo on brink of more international history"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to become international football’s most-capped men’s player
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Cristiano Ronaldo will become the most-capped men\u2019s international footballer if he plays in Portugal\u2019s Euro 2024 qualifying opener against Liechtenstein on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Ronaldo, 38, moved level with Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa on 196 caps when he faced Morocco at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

And he is now part of new Portugal manager\u00a0Roberto Martinez\u2019s first squad.<\/p>\n

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Ronaldo \u2013 now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr \u2013 has scored a men\u2019s record 118 international goals.<\/p>\n

There were question marks about his international future after he left the pitch in tears following Portugal\u2019s elimination by Morocco at the quarter-final stage.<\/p>\n

He has scored nine goals in 10 appearances for Saudi Arabia\u2019s Al Nassr after\u00a0leaving Manchester United in November\u00a0following a controversial interview in which he criticised the club.<\/p>\n

Martinez has said Ronaldo, who made his international debut in 2003, \u201cis very important for the team\u201d and \u201cI do not look at the age\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecords are my motivation,\u201d Ronaldo said on Wednesday. \u201cI want to become the most-capped player in history. That would make me proud.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it doesn\u2019t stop there. I still want to be called up very often.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ ALSO<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kristine Lilly is the most-capped female footballer of all time, having played 354 times for the United States.<\/p>\n

Ronaldo continues to make history<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ronaldo\u2019s latest record will further cement his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.<\/p>\n

The Portuguese\u2019s glittering career has seen him win seven domestic top-flight titles, 11 other major domestic trophies, five Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups and one European Championship.<\/p>\n

The former Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has also won the Ballon d\u2019Or five times and been named the Best Fifa Men\u2019s player twice.<\/p>\n

He became the first player to score 800 top-level career goals in November and also holds a host of other men\u2019s individual records for both club and country including:<\/p>\n

Most Champions League goals (140)<\/p>\n

Most Champions League appearances (183)<\/p>\n

Most Champions League wins (5)<\/p>\n

Only player to score in three Champions League finals<\/p>\n

Appeared in most European Championship finals (5)<\/p>\n

Most goals in European Championship finals (14)<\/p>\n

Most Euro and World Cup final goals combined (22)<\/p>\n

Most international goals in world football (118)<\/p>\n

The first player to score 10 hat-tricks in men\u2019s international football<\/p>\n

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