Cristiano Ronaldo sets RECORD for most-capped men’s international footballer

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the FIFA record for men’s international caps with a 197th appearance after appearing in Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein.

There were doubts over whether the 38-year-old would feature in the squad again after being dropped from the starting XI at the World Cup, but he has kept his place under new boss Roberto Martinez.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner overtakes the total of Kuwait forward Badr Al-Mutawa having previously earned his 196th cap against Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar.

The ex-Man United star’s goal-scoring form at Al Nassr resulted in a call-up despite fears that the questionable competitiveness of the division could have seen him snubbed.

Ronaldo earned his first Portugal cap at the age of 18, when he came on for Luis Figo in a friendly against Kazakhstan in 2003. 

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the record for men’s international caps with his 197th match

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003 and a year later scored his first international goal in the opening game of Euro 2004 against Greece (above)

He scored his first international goal on his eighth cap against Greece.

Ronaldo surpassed Ali Daei last September for the most international goals by a men’s player, scoring two goals against the Republic of Ireland to go clear of the Iranian’s total of 109.

The 38-year-old has since taken his tally to 118 goals for his nation.

Al-Mutawa achieved the feat in Kuwait’s 3-0 defeat by Jordan in qualification for the 2023 Asian Cup. 

The forward, who has scored 56 goals for his country, currently plays for Qadsia in the Kuwait Premier League. 

The 37-year-old had previously held the title in 2021, only for FIFA to validate Malaysia’s Soh Chin Ann’s total at 195. 

Ronaldo scored a stunning long-range free kick as Al Nassr came from behind to beat Abha 2-1 in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday.

The Portuguese forward has now scored nine goals in his first season in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo’s 78th-minute goal was his first at Al-Nasr’s Marsool Park stadium since his move to Saudi Arabia on a big money deal.

He has linked up with the Portugal squad for the international break before returning to lead Al-Nassr’s bid to win the league title for the first time since 2019.

Ronaldo has been all smiles in training with this international team-mates this week in Lisbon

The 38-year-old scored a stunning free kick as Al-Nassr came from behind to beat Abha 2-1

Ronaldo’s international future was up in the air following Portugal’s exit from the World Cup 

Ronaldo crashed out of what is expected to be his last World Cup when Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the quarter-final of the tournament in Qatar.

Ronaldo came off the bench to replace Ruben Neves in the second half with Portugal trailing 1-0 after Youssef En-Nesyri’s opener. But, he failed to inspire a comeback.

Ronaldo also squandered a late chance after drilling a right-footed effort into goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s hands, which was among a string of failed Portugal opportunities.

Ronaldo was visibly upset after the game. The camera’s captured the Portugal captain walking off in tears and many felt the emotion was tied to his retirement.