Image Courtesy - Marca
Cristiano Ronaldo does not have to keep Portugal’s hopes at the European Championship as he had done in the past but except not let up from him at an age of 36, as he sets his sights on becoming the top scorer of all-time in international football. Ronaldo chased the 100 international goals mark last September and further needs to score six goals for reaching former Iran striker Ali Dael’s record of 109 goals.
Ronaldo is aiming at this milestone since 2019. He remarked earlier that all records must be broken and he will break the record. Ronaldo had scored sensational 11 goals in eight games in qualifying while he was more than happy to fill his boots against minnows such as Lithuania who scored seven goals in Portugal’s two games against them. Ronaldo also thrives in tournaments, such as in the 2018 World Cup he had hit a hat-trick against Spain or broke the spine against Wales in the Euro 2016 semi-final.
Portugal’s triumph in the last European Championship, unfortunately, sated his hunger either as he was injured early in the final against France while spending the rest of it hobbling up and down the sidelines yelling encouragement. Currently, he can count upon fellow world-class attackers like Joao Felix, Diogo Jota, Bruno Fernandes who combined to make Portugal as potent a force as any at the tournament. Along with the all-star cast this time, still expects Ronaldo to play a leading role.