Cristiano Ronaldo added a new record to his legendary career on Thursday when he became the most-capped men’s player in international soccer history.
The Portuguese forward made his 197th appearance for his home country on Thursday against Liechtenstein in a Euro 2024 qualifying match. He surpassed the record held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa, who has made 196 appearances for his country.
Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after signing with the team back in December shortly after the World Cup. This move came after Ronaldo and Manchester United “mutually agreed” to part ways on Nov. 22.
Ronaldo’s status with the national team was somewhat up in the air after former manager Fernando Santos didn’t include him in the starting XI for the team’s last 16 and quarterfinal matches in Qatar. However, new manager Roberto Martinez put Ronaldo back in the lineup for the qualifying European Championship matches.
Ronaldo’s legendary international career began in 2003, and since then, he’s scored an all-time record 120 goals. He led the team to its only major trophy at Euro 2016, where he notched three goals and three assists in the seven matches.
At 38, Ronaldo may be in the twilight of his club career, but he hasn’t given up on extending his legacy in the international game just yet.
