Cristiano Ronaldo Makes Men's Football History With 200 Caps for Portugal

(Photo : HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP via Getty Images) Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 group J qualification football match between Iceland and Portugal in Reykjavik on June 20, 2023.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be the most prolific international footballer ever, as he became the first to reach 200 appearances for his country during Portugal's 1-0 UEFA Euro qualifier win against Iceland on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old came through for his country once again, netting an 89th-minute goal to give Portugal the much-needed victory,

Ronaldo made his senior international debut in 2003 against Kazakhstan. One day after his 22nd birthday, he captained Portugal for the first time in a friendly game against Brazil in 2007.

Ahead of the UEFA Euro 2008, Ronaldo was given the number 7 shirt for the country. He was permanently given the captaincy for Portugal in July 2008.

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Portugal's Success With Cristiano Ronaldo

It took a while before Ronaldo experienced success wearing the red-and-green shirt, but he finally did in the most prestigious international tournament on the continent.

Thirteen years after his debut for the country, Ronaldo scored three goals during the Euro 2016 to help Portugal win the tournament, their first trophy in 20 years. However, the former Manchester United player suffered an injury in the 18th minute of the final, getting subbed off in the 25th minute.

Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer won his second trophy for Portugal during the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League in 2019.

He equaled the record for the most-capped international player ever during the 2022 FIFA World Cup when he played his 196th match for his country in the knockout stages against Morocco. Ronaldo broke the deadlock in March 2023 in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Related Article: Spain Claims First Major International Trophy In Over A Decade  

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