7 Historic International Records Set By Cristiano Ronaldo | In Pictures
News18 · Megha Mallick ·
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his international career holding records for most goals, caps and tournament appearances for Portugal. Explore his historic legacy.
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