Cristiano Ronaldo broke the lads’s worldwide look document on Thursday and marked the event by scoring twice in Portugal’s 4-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein in Euro 2024 qualifying. The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese first-choice XI throughout the World Cup in Qatar final 12 months, gained a 197th cap for his nation in Lisbon as a starter. He netted a 51st-minute penalty after earlier targets from Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva, earlier than drilling house a free-kick 12 minutes later. It was Ronaldo’s record-extending one hundred and twentieth purpose for his nation and made him the primary man to attain 100 occasions in aggressive internationals. “Records are my motivation,” Ronaldo had instructed reporters on Wednesday.”I want to become the most capped player in history. That would make me proud.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s free kick from this angle…

pic.twitter.com/wdkGqWdyhZ

— Mikael Madridista (@MikaelMadridsta) March 23, 2023

“But it would not cease there, I nonetheless need to be referred to as up fairly often.”

Ronaldo made his international debut in 2003 and became the first man to score in five World Cups last year before Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals.

He is currently playing for Saudi club Al Nassr after an acrimonious end to his second spell at Manchester United.

Ronaldo’s appearance off the bench in the defeat by Morocco equalled the previous mark of 196 caps held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.

He left the pitch in tears following Portugal’s shock 1-0 loss against the North Africans.

Since leaving Europe, Ronaldo has scored nine goals in 10 matches for Al Nassr.

He was replaced as the starting striker by Goncalo Ramos during the World Cup, with the Benfica youngster scoring a hat-trick in a last-16 win over Switzerland.

But veteran coach Fernando Santos stepped down following the tournament and new boss Roberto Martinez has immediately put his faith in Ronaldo, who also captained the side.

There were questions over whether his 20-year international career had ended in Qatar as Ronaldo will be 39 by the time Euro 2024 kicks off.

But Martinez, who left his role as Belgium coach after the World Cup, has strongly defended his decision to keep Ronaldo in the fold.

“To be within the nationwide workforce, you must be dedicated,” the Spaniard said on Thursday.

“It’s a brand new cycle. It is essential {that a} participant reveals dedication and that he can use his expertise.

“Cristiano has that: a lot of experience and a lot of commitment to the national team.”

Portugal made the proper begin to their qualification marketing campaign with a simple win towards Liechtenstein.

Cancelo scored the one purpose of the primary half within the eighth minute however the floodgates opened after the break.

Bernardo Silva doubled the benefit lower than two minutes into the second interval earlier than Ronaldo hammered a penalty into the underside nook.

A strong free-kick from the sting of the field flew via the fingers of goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel to finish the scoring.

Ronaldo was substituted late on for Ramos, with the a lot anticipated altering of the guard placed on the again burner.

Ronaldo provides the worldwide look landmark to a formidable checklist of particular person information.

He is the main goalscorer in European Championship finals with 14 targets and has netted a document 140 occasions within the Champions League.

Ronaldo has additionally completed because the top-scorer in three of Europe’s high 5 leagues — in England, Spain and Italy.

Portugal will go to Luxembourg of their second Group J qualifier on Sunday.

They have additionally been drawn alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Slovakia.

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