INTERNATIONALS
Cristiano, by far and away Portugal’s most capped player, is currently tied on 109 for most senior international goals, with Iran’s Ali Daei, although he will no doubt go on to break that mark – perhaps it could even happen later this week.
No player has scored against more international sides (43). They are – deep breath –: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia, Cameroon, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, North Korea, Panama, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Wales.
The Portuguese does hold the record for international hat-tricks (nine), including one for Portugal against Spain at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which made him the competition’s oldest treble scorer.
Ronaldo is the first footballer to have played at five European Championships: 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 (completed in 2021). Naturally, he scored in every single one.
Add in Cristiano’s World Cup, Confederations Cup and Nations League appearances, and he’s the only player to make the scoresheet in 12 consecutive international tournaments.
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