12.08.2021 » Cristiano Ronaldo's international future and record
Wherever Cristiano Ronaldo goes, the record follows, and Euro 2020 was no exception. Despite Portugal's underwhelming last-16 exit where bet365 sport and other bookmakers expected them to reach the quarterfinals or semifinals, the Juventus dynamo enjoyed another breathtaking individual tournament. Ronaldo's brace in Portugal's 2-2 draw in their final Euro 2020 group stage fixture has taken his international tally to 109 goals, equalling the world-record milestone set by former Iran forward Ali Daei.
Cristiano, who headed into the tournament hunting down Daei's total, kicked things off with a quick-fire double over Hungary on Matchday 1 and added another to the tally against Germany on Matchday 2. Although Portugal bowed out of Euro 2020 in the first knock-out round, the 36-year-old won the Golden Boot award with five strikes and became the first-ever European player to score in five different editions. His two ensuing goals against Hungary in Portugal's Euro 2020 curtain-raiser took him two clear of the French icon Michel Platini. Ronaldo went on to complete the campaign with a record-extending 14-goal haul in the European Championship finals. Let's take our eyes off of the recently finished Euro 2020 and focus on Cristiano's eye-catching records with the national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Older but stronger:
#1 - Most national teams scored against
It took Ronaldo 177 international appearances to whittle down the gap on Daei.
But even before matching the Iranian's landmark, he had held perhaps the most flattering record, having scored against 41 different countries.
#2 - First to hit the net in 11 consecutive international tournaments
As the world's joint-best international scorer, it is not surprising that Ronaldo has demonstrated his scoring prowess in different competitions.
After playing a prominent role in Portugal's massive Euro 2020 success, he went on to net four goals in the 2018 World Cup group stages, including a stunning hat-trick against Spain.
Ronaldo's heroics against Switzerland in the 2019 UEFA Nations League semi-finals helped him reach another milestone.
Indeed, another out-of-this-world hat-trick saw Ronaldo find the net in ten successive international tournaments, marking another unprecedented success.
His abovementioned strikes at Euro 2020 only improved that record.
#3 - Most goals scored in European FIFA World Cup qualifying
Ronaldo's outrageous stats across his illustrious international career have left no one in doubt over the legendary Portuguese forward's football legacy.
Another record in an already lengthy list of personal accolades is his impressive tally of 31 goals in the FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
Ronaldo was on the scoresheet as Portugal swept Luxembourg aside 3-1 in their most recent World Cup qualifier to move a step closer towards securing their berth in the upcoming final tournament.
What's next?
Although many have thought the 2018 World Cup had been Ronaldo's last shot at winning world glory with his country, the ex-Real Madrid talisman should have another opportunity in a year.
By the kick-off time at Qatar 2022, Ronaldo will be 37.
He has already confirmed the upcoming final tournament will be his swansong in national colours.
Ronaldo has so far featured in four World Cup finals, having made his competition debut in 2006.
Lifting the World Cup title with his beloved Portugal is the only missing piece of silverware in his shining trophy cabinet.
There is no doubt Cristiano will do everything in his power to bring the trophy home next year.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Juventus is on August 14, against Atalanta. You can watch Juventus vs Atalanta, Alaves vs Real Madrid, PSG vs Strasbourg, Manchester United vs Leeds, Brentford vs Arsenal, and Borussia M'Gladbach vs Bayern Munich, all matches provided from our soccer live streaming game pages.
Juventus next game:
Juventus vs Atalanta kick-off time (14-08-2021):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 02:30
Jakarta (Indonesia) | UTC/GMT+7: 01:30
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 00:00
Italy (Turin) | UTC/GMT+2: 20:30
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 20:30
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 19:30
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 15:30
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 14:30
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 11:30
Sources: ronaldo7.net / uefa.com / sportslens.com
