Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest football players in history, and his international career with Portugal has been marked by numerous extraordinary records. On November 5, 2026, the Portuguese superstar announced his retirement from international football, concluding a magnificent 23-year journey with his national team.
Ronaldo ended his international career with 146 goals in 234 matches for Portugal. In doing so, he became the all-time leading goalscorer and the most-capped player in men's international football. From his debut in 2003 to winning major international trophies, CR7 has left behind a legacy that will be difficult for future generations to match.
Cristiano Ronaldo Total International Goals and Matches
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 146 international goals in 234 matches for Portugal. He made his senior international debut against Kazakhstan in August 2003 and gradually became the most significant player in the country’s football history.
| Statistics | Record |
|---|---|
| Player | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| National Team | Portugal |
| International Debut | 2003 |
| Total International Matches | 234 |
| Total International Goals | 146 |
| Goals per Match | 0.62 |
| Position | Forward |
| Major International Trophy | UEFA Euro 2016 |
| International Career | 2003–2026 |
Cristiano Ronaldo’s International Goal Record
Ronaldo’s journey of scoring international goals began in 2004, when he netted his first goal for Portugal at UEFA Euro 2004. Since then, he has consistently scored against some of the strongest national teams in the world.
A major milestone in his career arrived on September 1, 2021, when he scored two goals against the Republic of Ireland in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. With these goals, he surpassed Ali Daei’s previous record of 109 international goals, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football.
Players with the most international goals in men's football
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 146 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 126 |
| 3 | Ali Daei | Iran | 108 |
| 4 | Sunil Chhetri | India | 95 |
| 5 | Romelu Lukaku | Belgium | 94 |
Cristiano Ronaldo Major International Achievements
Ronaldo’s career with Portugal has extended far beyond just scoring goals. He has also played a pivotal role in helping his country win major international trophies and reach historic milestones.
1. UEFA Euro 2016 Winner
- One of the greatest achievements of Ronaldo’s career was winning the UEFA Euro 2016 title with Portugal. By defeating France 1–0 in the final, he helped the team secure its first-ever European Championship title.
2. UEFA Nations League 2019 Winner
- In 2019, Portugal won the inaugural UEFA Nations League, defeating the Netherlands 1–0 in the final. Ronaldo played a crucial role in the tournament, which included a hat-trick against Switzerland in the semi-finals.
3. UEFA Nations League 2025 Winner
- Ronaldo helped Portugal secure another Nations League title in 2025. After the final against Spain ended in a 2–2 draw, Portugal emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, adding another major international trophy to Ronaldo’s collection.
4. First Player to Score in Six FIFA World Cups
- Ronaldo became the first male player to score in six different editions of the FIFA World Cup—2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026. This achievement further cemented his place in the history of football.
When did Cristiano Ronaldo break the international goal record?
On September 1, 2021, during a FIFA World Cup qualifying match for Portugal against the Republic of Ireland, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for the most goals scored in men's international football.
He scored two goals late in the match, bringing his total number of international goals past the previous record of 109 held by Ali Daei. This historic performance made Ronaldo the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football.
Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo International Retirement: Career Stats, Goals, and Legacy
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