Ronaldo sets world record for most goals in international matches

MADRID – Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently returned to Manchester United from Juventus, broke the world record for most goals scored in men's international football.

The 36-year-old attacking midfielder achieved the feat by scoring twice against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's European Qualifier in Faro-Loulé on Wednesday.

🇵🇹 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥 🇵🇹

Created. Earned. #MUFC | @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/q6CVWipWVP

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2021

Europe's top-scoring footballer clinched the title from former Iranian striker Ali Daei. Previously, Daei holds the title with 109 goals. The Manchester United forward has also equaled Sergio Ramos' European record for men's caps with his 180th Portugal appearance.

Speaking about the world record, he said “I’m very happy, not only because I beat the record but for the special moments that we had”. He also added, “Two goals at the end of the game were so tough, but I have to appreciate what the team did. We believed until the end.”

The Portuguese footballer, who rewrote the history books with the recent feat, is still 76 goals behind the game’s most prolific international scorer. Canada’s Christine Sinclair holds the record with 187 goals.

⚡ 𝟳𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 ⚡

🐐 @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/h6eC6hSUkF

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 1, 2021

Furthermore, the star player is already the top scorer in club football's top tournament, the European Cup/Champions League, a trophy he has bagged five times. He is also the top scorer in European Championship history (14) and in Euros and World Cups combined (21). Interestingly, around half of his goals have come in the final 30 minutes of games.

International top scorers

111 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 180 appearances

109 Ali Daei (Iran) – 149 appearances

89 Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) – 142 appearances

84 Ferenc Puskás (Hungary) – 85 appearances

79 Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) – 111 appearances

78 Hussein Saeed (Iraq) – 137 appearances

77 Pelé (Brazil) – 92 appearances

76 Ali Mabkhout (United Arab Emirates) – 92 appearances

76 Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 151 appearances

75 Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) – 68 appearances

75 Kunishige Kamamoto (Japan) – 76 appearances

75 Bashar Abdullah (Kuwait) – 134 appearances