Cristiano Ronaldo, who is about to reach the symbolic bar of 200 caps on Tuesday by starting with Portugal against Iceland in qualifying for Euro 2024, assured the day before that he would “never” retire from his international position. own will. “I will never give up coming here (to the Portugal team), because it’s always a dream. Reaching 200 international matches is not for just anyone, it shows the love I have for my country and our selection,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner at a press conference in Reykjavik on Monday.
Record selections
The 38-year-old striker, who joined Saudi club Al-Nassr in January, claimed the men’s national team cap record in March, playing his 197th game against Liechtenstein to dethrone Kuwait’s Bader Al – Mutawa. “It would be spectacular to crown the 200th match for the selection with a goal”, commented on Monday the native of Madeira, also holder of the world record of goals in selection, with a total which continued to increase to reach until here 122 achievements.
“I’m not chasing records, they’re chasing me. I’m happy because it’s part of my motivation to continue at the highest level with the team. It’s something I never thought I would accomplish.” , he added. At his side at a press conference, his new coach Roberto Martinez confirmed the tenure on Tuesday of the former star of Manchester United, Real Madrid or Juventus Turin.
“A celebration”
The meeting in Iceland “will be a celebration”, said the Spaniard. “A player who makes 200 matches is unique. It’s a source of pride for Portuguese football,” he said. Since the arrival of the former Belgium coach at the start of the year, Ronaldo has played the first three qualifying matches for Euro-2024 and scored two doubles in Portugal’s victories against Liechtenstein (4-0) and Luxembourg (6-0). The striker also played all of last Saturday’s game against Bosnia, but he didn’t score any of the three goals in Portugal’s 3-0 win.