Cristiano Ronaldo is just the second man in history to score a century of international goals – and the first European player to do so.
Portugal’s captain has now passed the 100-goal mark by scoring twice in a 2-0 Nations League win against Sweden.
Getty Images - Getty
Getty Images - Getty
Ronaldo’s landmark goal was scored via a direct-free kick, the 57th time in his career he has scored with one and the 10th for his country.
Iran’s Ali Daei scored 109 goals in 149 caps during his career before retiring in 2006 and the record is something 35-year-old Ronaldo has been gunning for.
Speaking in November when he scored goal no.99 for Portugal, he said: “All records must be broken and I will beat that record.”
He is now seven away from equalling it.
Ronaldo, who helped Portugal to win the 2016 Euros and last summer’s Nations League, now has 101 goals from 165 appearances.
Top all-time international goal scorers
Ali Daei, Iran: 109 goals in 149 caps
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal: 101 goals in 165 caps
Ferenc Puskas, Hungary: 84 goals in 85 caps
Kunishige Kamamoto, Japan: 80 goals in 84 caps
Godfrey Chitalu, Zambia: 79 goals in 111 caps
Hussein Saeed, Iraq: 78 goals in 137 caps
Pele, Brazil: 77 goals in 92 caps
And following the feat, a host of clubs and players were eager to congratulate the Juventus ace.
“I’m so happy to be able to be here, congratulating you on 100 goals for the national team,” Marcelo, who played with him at Real Madrid said. “I know what you’ve done for your national team and what you keep doing.”
Nani, a teammate at both club and country said it filled him with pride to be part of his story – “The story of the greatest of all time.”
Former Portugal and Chelsea midfielder Deco called it the ‘milestone of a monster’, while former Man United teammate, Rio Ferdinand, called his achievement ‘crazy’.
“Some players don’t even get 100 goals in their whole career. This isn’t even about your club goals, this is just the national team. It’s crazy,” before joking “100 goals, man and you’re still not as good looking as me. Maybe you’re a seven out of ten!”
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