What a legacy – already…
Cristiano Ronaldo (38) is now the sole international football record national player. The superstar played his 197th game for the Portuguese national team on Thursday evening in the qualifier for next year’s European Championship in Germany.
Ronaldo captained the team on the debut of new coach Roberto Martínez in Lisbon against Liechtenstein.
If he runs towards the corner flag, the “Siu” is not far away
He shared the world record with Bader Ahmed Al-Mutawa (38, 196 internationals) from Kuwait. Germany’s record international Lothar Matthäus made 150 selections in his career.
︎ In the international match, CR7 showed itself from its best side again: In the 51st minute, Cristiano confidently converted a penalty into the left corner. In the 63rd minute he made it 4-0 against Liechtenstein with a dry free kick. Both times the entire arena in Lisbon cheered for him, both times Portugal’s veteran star showed relief on his face.
Well styled, tongue out, in a good mood: Ronaldo made two booths
“It’s such a good feeling to be back playing for our Seleção and scoring goals,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram afterwards. He was “proud” of the world record, the superstar from the Saudi club Al Nassr continued.
So everything as usual? No.
Because apart from his two standard goals, the attacker hardly appeared against the blatant outsider. The veteran can still provide added value to his team. But his role is changing.
New coach Roberto Martínez substituted him in the 78th minute, and Ronaldo accepted the decision without hesitation. Gonçalo Ramos came into play, the 21-year-old had already taken his previously undisputed regular place from Ronaldo at the World Cup in Qatar.
Gonçalo Ramos came on to replace CR7
Only in the coming weeks and months will we see how Ronaldo deals with his new status. Martínez has made no secret of the fact that he continues to rely on him and his great experience.
video-heading">Surprising 911 scene You don’t know THAT from Ronaldo at all
But it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Spaniard let him out in the next game in Luxembourg on Sunday – and let Ramos attack from the start.
It remains to be seen how Ronaldo would then behave.
