Football History in Iceland
Ronaldo is just before unmatched mark
06/19/2023, 8:30 p.m
When the Portuguese national team competes in Iceland on Tuesday evening (8.45 p.m. / DAZN) for the European Championship qualifier, Cristiano Ronaldo will be awaiting an unprecedented international milestone: his 200th international match. A look back at the five-time world footballer’s greatest moments in national jersey.
The beginnings: The August 2003 friendly against Kazakhstan is the perfect opportunity for Luiz Felipe Scolari to test new players. The Portuguese national coach took Luis Figo out of the game at half-time and brought in a then 18-year-old, largely unknown: Cristiano Ronaldo. And it leaves a lasting impression. Scolari also nominates the talented winger for the 2004 European Championship in his own country. Ronaldo scored his first goal for Portugal in the opening game against Greece but was unable to avert the 2-1 defeat. But Ronaldo becomes a regular player, Portugal makes it to the final – and loses to Greece.
The big stage: In 2006 Ronaldo took part in a World Cup for the first time. In Germany, at the age of 21 years and 132 days, he became the youngest World Cup goalscorer in his country. But his tournament is not exempt from controversy. In the quarter-finals against England, Ronaldo vehemently – and successfully – demanded that Wayne Rooney, his Manchester United club-mate, be sent off. His subsequent wink towards the Portuguese bench caused criticism, especially in England. Probably also because the Three Lions lost in the penalty shoot-out. Ronaldo converts the decisive penalty, but in the semifinals it’s over against France.
The triumph: There are bitter scenes that take place on July 10, 2016 in the Stade de France. In tears, Ronaldo had to be carried off the field in the 25th minute of the European Championship final against France. After six unsuccessful tournaments, the superstar is left only as a spectator in what is probably the biggest game of his international career. But all is well that ends well. Portugal wins, Ronaldo lifts the EM trophy into the Parisian night sky. “It wasn’t the final I wanted,” he later admits, “but I’m very happy. It’s a trophy for all Portuguese, for all immigrants, for all the people who believed in us.”
The goals: 122 goals in 199 games – Ronaldo’s statistics speak for themselves. Ten times he manages a hat-trick in the national jersey. For example in the playoff for the 2013 World Cup qualification against Sweden (3: 2) or in the 3: 3 against Spain in the 2018 World Cup preliminary round in Russia. Also on the way to the second title for Portugal, in the final round of the Nations League 2019, Ronaldo scored three times in the semifinals against Switzerland. “He’s a genius,” says national coach Fernando Santos afterwards: “There are brilliant paintings and sculptures and he’s a football genius!”
The records: On September 1st, 2021 the time has finally come. In the game against Ireland, Ronaldo scored twice late – a milestone. Iran’s Ali Daei’s record was broken, and since then Ronaldo has been the sole international record goalscorer, with 122 goals. “This record is mine and it’s unique,” he said after the historic evening. The next record follows in March 2023. With his 197th international match, Ronaldo also snatched the men’s world record from Kuwait’s Bader al-Mutawa – and will probably not give it up anytime soon. However, the attacker would have to play a few more years before he could set the overall record: four women played over 300 international matches, and Kristine Lilly held the record with 354 appearances for the USA.