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

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

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

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner surpasses the total of Kuwaiti striker Badr Al-Mutawa, who previously won his 196th cap against Morocco at the World Cup in Qatar.

The former Manchester United star’s goalscoring form at Al Nassr resulted in a call-up despite fears that the division’s questionable competitiveness might have snubbed him.

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

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the record for men’s international matches with his 197 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 in his eighth match against Greece.

Ronaldo surpassed Ali Daei last September for the most international goals by a male player, scoring twice against the Republic of Ireland to move away from the Iranian’s tally of 109.

Since then, the 38-year-old has taken his tally to 118 goals for his nation.

Al-Mutawa accomplished the feat in Kuwait’s 3-0 loss to Jordan in the 2023 Asian Cup qualifier.

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

The Portuguese striker has already scored nine goals in his first season in Saudi Arabia.

Ronaldo’s goal in the 78th minute was the first at Al-Nasr’s Marsool Park stadium since he moved to Saudi Arabia in a big-money deal.

He joined Portugal’s squad for the international break before again leading Al-Nassr’s bid to win the league title for the first time since 2019.

Ronaldo has been all smiles in training with his international teammates this week in Lisbon.

The 38-year-old scored an impressive free kick as Al-Nassr came from behind to beat Abha 2-1.

Ronaldo’s international future was up in the air after Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup.

Ronaldo was left out of what is expected to be his last World Cup when Portugal lost 1-0 to Morocco in the tournament’s quarterfinals 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 shot into the hands of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, which was among a series of missed chances for Portugal.

Ronaldo was visibly upset after the game. The camera caught the Portugal captain walking away in tears and many felt the emotion was tied to his retirement.