Ronaldo breaks Ali Daei's goalscoring record, equals Sergio Ramos, floors Messi

Ronaldo breaks Ali Daei's goalscoring record, equals Sergio Ramos, floors Messi

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo has broken the world record for goals scored in men's international football.

The newly signed Manchester United star hit his 110th and 111th goals for Portugal in their dramatic 2-1 World Cup qualifying win over the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old former Real Madrid and Juventus forward scored two late headers to break and extend the record.

The previous record holder, Ali Daei, scored 109 goals for Iran between 1993 and 2006 but Ronaldo equalled it in the Euro 2020 with a double against France.

Ronaldo also equalled former Real Madrid teammate, Sergio Ramos' European record for men's caps - with his 180th Portugal appearance on the same night.

The achievement also put Ronaldo a step forward in the argument of who is the greatest player of all time between him and Argentine maestro, Lionel Messi.

The Portugal international is also the top scorer in the European Cup/Champions League, a trophy he has won five times.

Ronaldo also holds the record as the top scorer in European Championship history (14) and in Euros and World Cups combined (21).

His international goals include 33 scored in World Cup qualifiers; 31 from European Championship qualifiers; 19 goals from International friendlies; 14 strikes from European Championship; 7 from World Cup matches; 5 goals scored during Uefa Nations League; and 2 from Confederations Cup.

Ronaldo has also left Messi far behind in international career goals with his 111 goals in 180 games against the PSG star's 76 in 151.

The 34-year-old Argentina captain is the joint 8th top scorer in the world and would need to play into his forties to reach 111 international goals.

Ronaldo and Daei are the only two male players to score 90 or more international goals.

"I'm so happy, not only because I beat the record, but for the special moment that we had," Ronaldo told RTE.

"Two goals at the end of the game. I have to appreciate what the team did. We believed until the end. I'm so glad."

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