RONALDO BECOMES HIGHEST SCORING MAN IN INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

Thu 02 September 2021:

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 110th goal for Portugal on Wednesday, making him the all-time leading scorer in international soccer.

In a World Cup qualifier against Ireland, the Portugal captain scored in the 89th minute, putting him ahead of former Iranian scorer Ali Daei. In a 2-1 triumph, he added a second goal — another header — minutes later. He had a penalty saved in the 15th minute earlier in the game.

Ronaldo, 36, was playing in his 180th game for Portugal, having completed his return to Manchester United after leaving Juventus on Tuesday. The forward made his national team debut in 2003, and his remarkable scoring run began in a 2-1 loss to Greece in the group stage of the 2004 European Championship.

Ronaldo and Daei, who scored 109 goals in 149 games for Iran between 1993 and 2006 while playing for German clubs Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin, are the only two individuals to score 100 goals for their countries.

Christine Sinclair of Canada, 38, is the most prolific goal scorer in international soccer, having scored her 187th goal at the Tokyo Olympics last month, when she won gold.

With five goals in four games, Ronaldo, whose only title with Portugal came at Euro 2016, was the highest scorer at this year’s European Championship, but his team’s title defense ended in the round of 16.

Ronaldo broke Michel Platini’s record of nine goals at Euros by becoming the first player to score in five different editions of the continental championship.

According to UEFA, Ronaldo is also the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, with 134 goals, 14 more than Lionel Messi.

(Input with Agency)

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