Cristiano Ronaldo has become the men’s all-time international goal scorer after he overtook Ali Daei’s 15-year international goalscoring record with his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in an epic comeback win.
Ronaldo’s 89-minute strike in Portugal 2 -1 win in their World Cup qualifying match on Wednesday night means he now has 110 goals in 180 appearances for his country, breaking Ali Daei’s record of 109 goals for Iran.
Recall that the Portuguese captain equalised Daei’s mark of 109 earlier this year at Euro 2020 with a two-goal performance in group-stage action against France
The 36-year-old had the chance to break the record earlier in the game after Portugal were awarded a penalty but Ireland’s 19-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, saved Ronaldo’s spot kick.
Ronaldo, who took home the golden boot from the Euros with six goals is now 34 strikes ahead of the next-highest active men’s player (behind Daei) Ali Mabkhout, who has 76 goals in 92 for the UAE.
Daei scored 109 times for Iran between 1993 and 2006.
The newly minted Manchester United also made Euro history when he scored twice in Portugal’s opening group-stage game against Hungary to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 11 goals and became the first man to appear at five Euros.
Ronaldo is the only man to score in five Euros, extending his own record.
He made his international debut in 2003 and his tally of 180 caps brings him level with Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos as the European man with the most appearances for his national side.
Ronaldo has two major honours with Portugal, having led his country to success at Euro 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League three years later.
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