Against Hungary, CR7 scores twice and beats Carlos Ruiz to reach yet another record
Another goal, another record. At the age of forty, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to rewrite the history of football, this time in the World Cup qualifiers. Against Hungary, on the evening that adds another notch to his legend, the Portugal captain scored a brace which is worth an absolute record (yes, there are still records to be broken): no one has scored more than him in World Cup qualifiers. Two goals that looked like they could give the Portuguese direct qualification, which then faded in injury time with the 2-2 scored by Szoboszlai.
the last of many
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The first ring came in the 22nd minute of the first half, when Ronaldo anticipated everyone in the small area and turned Nelson Semedo’s low cross into gold: a goal from an area predator, which put the match back in balance. Then, at the end of the first half, it was him again: perfect movement and sharp right-footed shot from a few steps on an assist from Nuno Mendes, ball in the bottom corner and Portugal ahead 2-1. Two goals that bring his overall tally to 41 goals in 50 qualifying matches, surpassing the former Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz, stuck at 39. Encyclopedia numbers, but above all the photograph of a career that knows no decline. Ronaldo, now playing for Al-Nassr, continues to be the beacon of Portugal and the symbol of an obsession: that of victory.
the man of records
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Every Portugal match with CR7 on the pitch is an opportunity to update the history books. His numbers with the Seleçao das Quinas are impressive and describe a dominance that spans generations. With the goals scored in the latest matches, Ronaldo has brought the goals scored with the national team to 143, extending a record that already belonged to him. No one in the history of football has scored so many goals for their country: Lionel Messi, second in this special ranking, has 114.
insurmountable
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In November 2024, thanks to the success in the Nations League against Poland, Ronaldo also won the title of player with the most victories in the history of the national teams, surpassing Sergio Ramos. And he did it in the way that is most recognizable to him: nothing less than a brace and an overhead kick goal. But there’s more: CR7 was the first player to take part in six editions of the European Championships, and he exceeded 200 appearances for the national team, an absolute record in the history of international football. Finally, a record that perfectly illustrates his longevity in front of goal: with the penalty scored against Ghana in Qatar 2022, Ronaldo became the first footballer capable of scoring in five different editions of the World Cup. From Pelé to Messi, from Klose to Seeler: no one had ever achieved this much.
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