Cristiano Ronaldo has thanked Ali Daei after the Iran legend congratulated him for equalling his all-time goalscoring record in international football.
The footballing phenomenon equalled Daei’s long-standing record after netting two penalties in Portugal’s 2-2 thriller with France at Euro 2020.
AFP
The Juventus star’s double took him to 109 goals on the international stage.
His first 50 goals came in 114 caps, hitting 59 in 64 since including his second half-century at a goal a game. His total of 178 games to reach his record total compares to 149 for Daei.
Daei congratulated Ronaldo on Instagram, saying he is ‘honoured’ that his record will pass to a ‘great champion of football’.
“Congratulations to @cristiano who is now one goal away from breaking the men’s international goal scoring record,” Daei posted.
“I am honoured that this remarkable achievement will belong to Ronaldo – great champion of football and caring humanist who inspires and impacts lives throughout the world.”
And the Juventus superstar responded by writing: “True champions remain champions forever.
“I’m very proud to read such kind words from a huge idol like you. Thank you, Ali Daei.”
Ronaldo and Daei are a long way clear of the next players on the all-time list – historical data can be patchy but the reputable Rec Sports Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) lists former Malaysia international Mohammed Mokhtar Dahari in third place on 89, followed by Hungary great Ferenc Puskas on 84.
Portugal’s qualification campaigns for World Cups and European Championships have accounted for over half of Ronaldo’s goals, with 31 in Euro qualifiers and the same number in World Cup preliminaries after netting against Luxembourg in March.
He has 14 in European Championship finals tournaments, including three as Portugal won the 2016 tournament in France and five in this summer’s group stage.
His hat-trick against Spain helped him to four at the 2018 World Cup and seven in total in his appearances at the tournament, after his three previous World Cups brought him just one goal apiece – against Iran in 2006, North Korea in 2010 and Ghana in 2014.
Ronaldo has five in two Nations League campaigns and scored twice at 2017’s Confederations Cup, with his remaining 19 international goals coming in friendlies.
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