Cristiano Ronaldo ended his international career as the highest goalscorer in men’s football, scoring 146 goals in 234 appearances for Portugal. He went past Iran’s great Ali Daei’s long-standing record of 109 goals with a brace against the Republic of Ireland on September 1, 2021 and finished ahead of Lionel Messi, who sits second on the all-time list with 125 international goals
Ronaldo also bows out as the most-capped footballer in men’s international football, having made 234 appearances for Portugal. He broke Kuwait legend Bader Al-Mutawa’s record of 196 caps in March 2023 and became the first men’s footballer to reach the 200-cap milestone during Portugal’s game against Iceland in June that year (Picture credit: AFP)
Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cups, finding the net at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions. He achieved the historic milestone at the 2026 tournament, extending a remarkable World Cup scoring streak that began with his maiden goal against Iran in 2006
With 14 goals to his name, Ronaldo retires as the UEFA European Championship’s all-time leading scorer. He surpassed France legend Michel Platini’s record of nine goals with a brace against Hungary at Euro 2020 and also holds the record for the most appearances in the tournament’s final stages, featuring 30 times
Ronaldo is the first and only footballer to have appeared in six UEFA European Championship editions. From Euro 2004 to Euro 2024, the Portugal skipper featured at every tournament, setting a benchmark for longevity and consistency on the international stage (Picture credit: AP)
Ronaldo also holds the distinction of being the only footballer to score in five successive UEFA European Championship editions. He found the net at Euro 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020, underscoring his brilliant longevity and consistency on Europe’s biggest international stage (Picture credit: AP)
Ronaldo became the first European player to reach 100 international goals, achieving the milestone with a brace against Sweden in a UEFA Nations League game on September 8, 2020. He was only the second men’s footballer to reach the hundred mark, after Iran’s Ali Daei. Ronaldo went on to extend the record to 146 goals (Picture credit: AP)
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