Records for Ronaldo and Kane in Euro 2024 qualifying

Cristiano Ronaldo
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his world-record 197th men’s international appearance by scoring twice as Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein 4-0 in their Euro 2024 qualifying opener.

The 38-year-old has now scored a men’s record 120 international goals.

He made his international debut in 2003 and in Qatar last year became the first man to score in five World Cups.

Ronaldo had moved level with Kuwait forward Bader Al-Mutawa on 196 caps at the World Cup but there were question marks over his international future after Portugal’s elimination by Morocco at the quarter-final stage.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner found himself dropped from the Portuguese starting XI at the tournament but justified his selection as captain in new manager Roberto Martinez’s first game in charge.

Ronaldo’s latest records only further cement his status as one of the greatest players of all time.

His glittering career has seen him win seven domestic top-flight titles, 11 other major domestic trophies, five Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups and one European Championship.

The former Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has also been named the Best Fifa Men’s player twice.

In November, he became the first player to score 800 top-level career goals and he also holds a host of other men’s individual records for both club and country including:

Meanwhile Harry Kane became England’s all-time record goalscorer as they opened their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a first victory in Italy since 1961.

England won 2-1 in Naples.

Kane wrote his name into the history books in the 44th minute when he beat Gianluigi Donnarumma from the penalty spot for his 54th goal, overtaking previous record holder Wayne Rooney.

-BBC