Cristiano Ronaldo scores the decisive last-minute goal in his 200th appearance for Portugal, it was inevitable
Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 200th appearance for Portugal with a last-minute winning goal in a European Championship qualifier against Iceland.
Before the match started at the Laugardalsvöllur Stadium, the Al Nassr forward received a Guinness World Record as he prepared to become the first male player to make 200 appearances for the national team.
Speaking about his pre-match performance on Monday, Ronaldo said:
"The two hundred games played prove the love I have for my country. For me, this is a hugely important step. It means a lot. "I'm very proud because it's something I never thought I could achieve. And I continue to set records."
Cristiano Ronaldo received the Guinness World Record award when he became the first male player to reach 200 caps for the national team.
After being named in the starting XI along with Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, the 38-year-old striker has brought his impressive total to 123.
Ronaldo, who made his debut for Portugal in 2003, displayed his signature hunting instinct in the box when he scored from Goncalo Inacio's cushioned header.
Roberto Martinez's side went on to win to maintain a perfect record in Group J, but on a record night for one of the greatest players in football history, that night belonged to Ronaldo. Advertisement
After the game, he said:
"For me, it's an incredible achievement, it's extraordinary. And of course, scoring the winning goal is even more special."
Ronaldo scores the winning goal against Iceland pic.twitter.com/ZN0fDP8FHf
– aminfc (@thego3t) June 20, 2023
He added:
"We didn't play very well but sometimes football is like that but we scored goals and in my opinion we deserved it. I'm very happy for 200 caps but it's special than."
Meanwhile, Ronaldo insists he will 'never turn his back on my colleagues and my country' ahead of Euro 2024.
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In fact, last September, at the Gala Quinas de Ouro 2022, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward said he hopes to be part of the Portuguese team in "a few years".
“I always feel motivated, high ambition. My career in the national team is not over yet. “We have a lot of quality young players,” he said. I'm going to the World Cup and I want to go to Europe [Championship in 2024].
What do you think about Cristiano Ronaldo's latest achievement in the international arena?
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