How many goals has Ronaldo scored for Portugal?
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a world record 128 goals since making his Portugal debut in 2003. He is also the all-time leading appearance maker in men's international football having played 205 games, eclipsing the previous record of 196 held by Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa against Liechtenstein on 23 March 2023 – and marking the occasion with two goals. He also struck on his 200th Portugal appearance, an 89th-minute winner in Iceland on 20 June 2023, and ensured his side's place at UEFA EURO 2024 with two goals against Slovakia on 13 October 2023.
When did Ronaldo break the international goals record?
Ronaldo broke the world record for international goals when he scored twice against Republic of Ireland in Portugal's European Qualifier in Faro-Loulé on 1 September 2021, aged 36. He surpassed the existing world-record mark set by former Iran forward Ali Daei – the first man to claim a century of international goals. Lionel Messi joined the elite group on 28 March 2023.
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Has Ronaldo scored every year since making his Portugal debut?
Ronaldo didn't score in his first two appearances, in 2003, but has since registered for 20 years running, including 2023. That is good enough to set a new world record, beating the mark of Robbie Keane, who struck every year for the Republic of Ireland between 1998 and 2016.
Leading international scorers
Great Ronaldo Portugal goals
128Cristiano Ronaldo* (Portugal) – 205 appearances
108 Ali Daei (Iran) – 148 appearances
106 Lionel Messi* (Argentina) – 180 appearances
93 Sunil Chhetri* (India) – 145 appearances
89 Mokhtar Dahari (Malaysia) – 142 appearances
84 Ferenc Puskás (Hungary) – 89 appearances
84 Ali Mabkhout* (United Arab Emirates) – 113 appearances
83 Romelu Lukaku* (Belgium) – 113 appearances
82 Robert Lewandowski* (Poland) – 146 appearances
*still active
Data correct as of 21 November 2023
