Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 39th birthday today. superstar footballer is now in the twilight of his career but during his peak, Ronaldo was an unstoppable force who scored goals for fun and shattered countless records at both the club and international level. As Ronaldo turns 39, let’s delve into the 10 stunning records that solidify him as one of the all-time greats of football.
Cristiano Ronaldo
1. The only player to score in 11 consecutive international tournaments:
Cristiano Ronaldo is the sole player who has impressively scored in 11 consecutive international tournaments in men’s football. From 2004 to 2022, Ronaldo netted at least one goal for Portugal in various international tournaments.
2. The first player in men’s international football to score 10 hat-tricks:
Cristiano Ronaldo has clinically scored 10 hat-tricks for Portugal’s senior men’s team, setting a sensational record. With that, Ronaldo holds the record for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football. He broke Sven Rydell’s previous record of nine in Portugal’s dominant 5–0 win against Luxembourg on October 12, 2021.
3. The first player to score in 5 different World Cup editions:
Cristiano Ronaldo made history as the first male player to score in five World Cups. He achieved this remarkable feat in Portugal’s opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar against Ghana, slotting home a 65th-minute penalty.
4. Most international goals in world football:
Cristiano Ronaldo stands alone at the summit of world football with the most goals scored by a player. Ronaldo has phenomenally fired in 128 international goals, holding a remarkable record. He overtook Ali Daei’s record of 109 goals in September 2021 and achieved this incredible feat with a brace against the Republic of Ireland.
5. First player to 800 career goals:
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to score 800 senior-level goals, combining both club and country achievements. He accomplished this extraordinary milestone during his second stint as a Manchester United player in a match against Premier League rivals Arsenal in November 2022.
6. Most Champions League title wins:
Cristiano Ronaldo holds an unprecedented record of winning the Champions League the most times. He has impressively secured the prestigious trophy five times. The Portuguese superstar achieved this remarkable feat once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid.
7. Most Champions League goals in a single season:
During the 2013-2014 season, Cristiano Ronaldo remarkably scored 17 Champions League goals for Real Madrid, setting the record for the most goals in a single Champions League season. He also secured the second position on this list with 16 goals and the third position with 15 goals in separate Champions League seasons.
8.Most-capped men’s footballer:
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most international caps in men’s football. CR7 has magnificently represented Portugal in 205 international matches. Ronaldo achieved this feat in Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein, officially surpassing Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa.
9. Most Champions League appearances:
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most Champions League appearances, having played in 183 matches in the UEFA Champions League, Europe’s premier club competition.
10. All-time leading goal-scorer in Champions League:
Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name in history as the all-time leading goal-scorer in the Champions League, netting an astonishing 140 goals.
Conclusion:
As Cristiano Ronaldo blows out the candles marking his 39th birthday, we reflect on his incredible career and the 10 stunning records that cement his status as one of the all-time greats of football. From his unmatched international caps to his prolific goal-scoring prowess, Ronaldo’s impact on the game will forever be etched in history. Give credit where it’s due; Cristiano Ronaldo is a true legend.
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