He is now 38. Not only that, his lamp is almost dim even in international football. Not even playing top-level football anymore. After leaving European football, he wrote his name in Asian football, Al Nasr Club in the Saudi Pro League.
Still, the new coach of Portugal, Roberto Martinez, could not turn his back on such a footballer. He kept this 5-time Ballon d’Or winner in the squad against Liechtenstein in the Euro qualifying match.
Even if he does not play in Europe or any big club, Ronaldo’s arrival on the field means records and titles. He will make some records and make some headlines.
This time he is in the headlines. If coach Roberto Martinez gives Ronaldo a chance in the Euro qualifier against Liechtenstein, he will become the most capped player in the history of football.
He played the 196th match for Portugal in Qatar World Cup. This time, if he takes the field against Liechtenstein, his name will be decorated for the 197th match.
Only Bader Al Mutawa of Kuwait has played 196 matches in international football. Who played his last match on June 14, 2022. Martinez may keep him in the starting XI against Liechtenstein. If not, Ronaldo can be dropped in the second half. He will set the record in that case too.
Ronaldo made his debut in international football on August 20, 2003. He scored 118 goals in 196 matches. No one else has scored more goals than him in international football. Ronaldo’s arch-rival Lionel Messi is far behind. Messi scored 98 goals in 172 matches.
Footballers who own the most matches
- Bader Al-Mutawa (Kuwait): 196 matches
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): 196 matches
- Soh Chin An (Malaysia): 195 matches
- Ahmed Hasan (Egypt): 184 matches
- Mubarak (Oman): 183 matches
- Sergio Ramos (Spain): 180 matches
- Cuadrado (Mexico): 179 matches
- Al Dahiya (Saudi Arabia): 178 matches
- Claudio Suarez (Mexico): 177 matches
- Gianluigi Buffon (Italy): 176 matches
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