Cristiano Ronaldo should not have to shoulder Portugal’s hopes at the European Championship as he has in the past but expect no let up from him, even at age 36, as he sets his sights on becoming the top scorer of all-time in international football.
Ronaldo broke the 100 international goals mark last September and further strikes have taken him to within six goals of reaching former Iran striker Ali Daei’s record of 109.
Ronaldo has had his eye on that milestone for some time, remarking in 2019: “All records must be broken and I will beat that record.”
Ronaldo hit a stunning 11 goals in eight games in qualifying and was more than happy to fill his boots against minnows such as Lithuania, scoring seven goals in Portugal’s two games against them.
In fact, he’s had a better career since turning 30 than the vast majority of footballers. Here are seven outstanding stats and records from his thirties alone.
Ronaldo has scored exactly 300 career goals for club and country since he turned 30, back in February 2015. That works out as 50 a year.