Small consolation. Failing to have been able to qualify Portugal in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, (0-1 defeat once morest Morocco in the quarterfinals this Saturday), Cristiano Ronaldo (37) has set a new record with his country. Coming into play once morest the Atlas Lions, the former Real Madrid star equaled the world record for the number of national team caps by playing his 196th international match.
The Kuwaiti Bader al-Mutawa was, until now, the only holder of this beautiful record. It remains to be seen whether CR7 will continue his international career with the Seleção following this huge disappointment in Qatar, where he will notably have been benched in favor of Gonçalo Ramos. The beautiful story of Cristiano Ronaldo with Portugal began in August 2003, a match night once morest Kazakhstan, when the five-time Ballon d’Or was then, at the time, only 18 years old.
All-time leading appearance makers in men’s international football ⚽️
196 – Cristiano Ronaldo????????
196 – Bader Al-Mutawa???????? #FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/p41BFcI9oS— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 10, 2022
