CRISTIANO RONALDO is getting ever closer to smashing the all-time international record for goals and has another opportunity to further boost his numbers against France on Saturday.
Ronaldo made it 102-not out with his brilliant header against minnows Andorra on Wednesday and he’s and far off Saudi Arabia legend Ali Daei’s record.
Ronaldo has to score eight goals to equal Ali Daei’s recordCredit: AFP or licensors
Ronaldo has been bearing down on the record for some time, and could even equal it early next year by the time the next international break rolls around.
Daei’s notched an incredible 109 goals in 140 appearances for Iran, before retiring from the game in 2006.
His record has stood for an impressive 14 years, and not even Lionel Messi or Neymar have come anywhere near it.
But Ronaldo has just seven goals to go.
“All records must be broken and I will beat that record,” Ronaldo said before he scored twice against Sweden.
Ronaldo’s record with Portugal has been often criticised because of the calibre of teams most of his goals have come against.
Andorra didn’t represent too tough a task at all, as Portugal smashed them 7-0 thanks to other goals from the likes of Paulinho, Bernardo Silva, Francisco Trincao and Renato Sanches.
Ronaldo scored his 100th and 101st goals against SwedenCredit: EPA
Portugal then take on World Cup winners France on Saturday before facing Croatia in the UEFA Nations League over the next week.
Ronaldo’s Portugal side beat France in the European Championship final in 2016, though the former Real Madrid man had to come off after 25 minutes because of a knee injury.
Just below Ronaldo in the scoring charts is Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas, who tallied up an astonishing 84 goals in just 85 apps.
Ronaldo scores his 102nd international goal against AndorraCredit: AFP or licensors
Following Ronaldo’s breaking of the century barrier, his ex-Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand called the achievement ‘crazy’.
“Some players don’t even get 100 goals in their whole career.” he said.
“This isn’t even about your club goals, this is just the national team. It’s crazy.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
