Cristiano Ronaldo has just set a new record and thus outclasses his lifelong rival, Lionel Messi.
For the game between Portugal and Liechtenstein, Ronaldo officially recorded his 197th cap, overtaking Kuwaiti striker Bader Al-Mutawa.
The last time the Portuguese played for his country was on the bench against Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Although the 38-year-old is currently playing for a club in the Saudi Pro League, he has been called up by new Portugal manager Roberto Martinez for the start of the latest European Championship qualifying campaign.
The former Manchester United star is in impressive form with Al Nassr, scoring nine goals in 10 appearances.
He proved it again by scoring twice including a magnificent free kick. Argentinian Lionel Messi also scored a splendid free kick with his selection at home.
The five-time Golden Ball winner intends to continue playing for his national team for as long as possible and will go down in his country’s history even further.
“Records are my motivation,” Cristiano Ronaldo told reporters on Wednesday. “I want to become the most capped player in history. It would make me proud. But it does not stop there. I still want to be called very often.”
