Xtra Time Web Desk: Cristiano Ronaldo made history by becoming the most-capped player in men’s international soccer. Ronaldo started for Portugal in their 2024 European Championship qualifying match against Liechtenstein, making his 197th appearance for the national team, breaking the previous record held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.
Ronaldo had tied Al-Mutawa’s record of 196 caps after coming off the bench in Portugal’s loss to Morocco in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. The defeat was a disappointment for Ronaldo, who was benched in the knockout rounds and left the field in tears after the loss to Morocco.
However, Ronaldo put the World Cup disappointment behind him and returned to the national team as a starter. He scored twice in the match against Liechtenstein, with a penalty kick in the 51st minute and a powerful free kick from just outside the area in the 63rd minute. Ronaldo is already the all-time scoring leader in men’s football, with 120 goals to his name.
Portugal’s qualifying group for the 2024 European Championship includes Luxembourg, Iceland, Slovakia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Their next match is against Luxembourg on Sunday. The top two nations from each of the 10 groups qualify for the final tournament in Germany.
Ronaldo’s achievement is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport. Despite his age, he continues to play at the highest level and break records. He is a role model for young players around the world and an inspiration to all who love the beautiful game of football.