Skip to content

Ronaldo scores Portugal's winner after becoming 1st male to reach 200 caps

Will Palmer/Allstar / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male player to reach 200 international caps after starting and scoring the winner in Portugal's 1-0 Euro 2024 qualification victory over Iceland on Tuesday.

It's yet another milestone to add to the 38-year-old's long list of individual feats. He was already the top-scoring player in the history of men's international football before he added the 123rd goal to his collection via a late tap-in in Reykjavik.

"I don't follow the records, they follow me," Ronaldo said during Monday's pre-match press conference, according to ESPN's Adriana Garcia.

Ronaldo made his Portugal debut 19 years and 304 days before his 200th outing - when international teammate Antonio Silva was just 961 days old. He's the only man to score at five World Cups and has collected winners' medals at Euro 2016 and the inaugural Nations League three years later.

Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in January after leaving Manchester United. His new club finished second in the Pro League table following his arrival.

"I'm happy and with ambition to continue making a lot of history for Portugal," he added on Friday. "I'm hoping we can win more titles. Two hundred games played proves the love I have for my country. Feeling like an asset gives me pride and motivation. What I want most is to help Portugal."

The Selecao's next major tournament appearance is likely to be next summer when Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany. Portugal sits atop its qualification group with four wins from four matches, two points ahead of second-placed Slovakia.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox