Cristiano Ronaldo will become the most capped player in the history of men’s international football after returning to Portugal's staring lineup for their game with Liechtenstein.
The 38-year-old is already the all-time men’s record scorer with 118 goals, a mantle he took from Ali Daei in 2021. And two years on, his 197th appearance for Portugal means he stands alone as the most experienced in history.
During the recent World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo usurped Malaysia’s Soh Chin Ann and drew level with Bader Al-Mutawa, who played 196 times for Kuwait. Portugal’s elimination at the hands of Morocco last winter had thrown into doubt whether the ex-Manchester United star would stick around to break the record.
After storming off the pitch following that defeat leaving the door open for international retirement in the subsequent days. Fernando Santos had relegated Ronaldo to the bench during the knockout stages of that tournament, with Goncalo Guedes starting in the veteran’s place.
But Roberto Martinez, who replaced Santos earlier this year, quickly showed his intentions by flying out to Saudi Arabia to watch Ronaldo play for Al-Nassr. He has then included him in his first squad to kick-off their Euro 2024 qualification campaign and restored him to the XI alongside Chelsea's Joao Felix.
Martinez said: “Cristiano is a player who is completely committed to the national team. I don’t look at age or other aspects. He has the chance to help the team and pass on his experience to other players.”
Speaking before the game with Liechtenstein in Lisbon, Ronaldo unsurprisingly claimed that he is still driven by the desire to break more records and cement his legacy even further. “Records are always positive, it’s my motivation and as you know, I like to break records.
“I have a lot of records but tomorrow’s is also a special record, because being the most capped player in history I have to confess that it is something that leaves me quite proud. In addition to being the best scorer ever for the national teams, I would also like to be the most international capped player. But not only tomorrow, I would like to have a lot of matches in the future.”
When Ronaldo swapped Man United for Al-Nassr at the end of the World Cup, it appeared a concession that he was happy to wind his career down away from the limelight. Erik ten Hag had seemingly deemed the forward surplus to requirements with the Red Devils, but after scoring 9 goals in his first eight Saudi Pro League games he is keen to show he still has more to offer.
“Sometimes, you have to go through some things to see who is on my side,” he said on his Old Trafford exit. "I have no problem saying, I had a bad career run, but there’s no time for regrets. Life goes on and, doing well or not, it was part of my growth.
“When we are at the top of the mountain, we often cannot see what is below. Now, I’m more prepared and learning that was important, because I had never been through this, like in the last few months. Now I’m a better man.”
Although Ronaldo’s 197 appearances means he is the most-capped men’s player, he is still a way away from the outright record. That belongs to United States legend Kristine Lily. She has a staggering 354 caps for the women’s team, winning four World Cups across her 23-year career.
Canada’s Christine Sinclair is the most-capped active player with 322 appearances for Canada. In total there are 26 female players who have 200 or more international caps.
