Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward netted four times for Portugal against Lithuania earlier this week.
The 34-year-old produced an all-encompassing display during a 5-1 win, breaking Robbie Keane's record for most goals in European Championship qualifiers in the process.
Ronaldo, who made his Portugal debut in 2003, has now netted 93 times in 160 appearances for his country at senior level.
Reflecting on Ronaldo's latest masterclass for his country, Mourinho told Portuguese TV channel 11: "What Cristiano does does not surprise me. At 34, he is a top player, who plays in a top team and has top ambitions.
"It does not surprise me because he is a case study in genetic terms, and mentality as well. He is a phenomenon, someone who only thinks about winning and doing it more and more and better. That is why I am not surprised at all what he does.
"When he is 50 years old he will be at home and FIFA will invite him to a game of legends. He will play the game and score a goal. I am sure it will be like that."
Mourinho, who has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in December, worked with Ronaldo at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013.
While his record for Portugal is impressive, Ronaldo's ratio at Los Blancos was even better, with the forward scoring 450 goals in 438 appearances in all competitions.
Leo Nieboer
