Cristiano Ronaldo breaks international record as Portugal star overtakes ex-Real Madrid teammate

Portugal and Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo has added yet another record to his ever-growing CV with the Selecao's 5-1 win over Poland in the UEFA Nations League.

Still an integral performer for his country at the age of 39, Ronaldo sported the captain's armband for Roberto Martinez's side on Friday evening and put in a man-of-the-match performance.

The former Manchester United man came up with two goals - including a brilliant bicycle kick - to help propel Portugal to an emphatic success, one in which Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto and Bruno Fernandes also found the back of the net.

As well as moving Portugal six points clear at the top of League A Group 1 - ensuring that his nation will be present in the quarter-finals - Ronaldo's feats also helped the veteran attacker earn another slice of international football history.

The 39-year-old has now been a part of 132 victories for the Portugal national team, which is a new record for the most senior international wins ever achieved by a male player.

Ronaldo usurps Sergio Ramos in international wins charts

© Imago

Ronaldo has broken the record previously held by former Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos, who was involved in 131 victories across all competitions during his glittering career with Spain.

Another erstwhile Blancos star - Iker Casillas - is third on the list with 121 victories in a Spain jersey, but Ronaldo is now set to streak clear at the top of the list for as long as he dons the Portugal kit.

The attacker's brace on Friday evening took him up to 135 goals for the Portugal national team, as well as an astronomical 910 career strikes in total, having hit the 900-mark for Portugal in September.

In spite of the fact that he turns 40 in under three months' time, Ronaldo has not slowed down drastically on the domestic scene either, scoring 10 goals in 15 games for Al-Nassr this season.

Ronaldo and co now have one final Nations League dead rubber against Croatia pencilled in for Monday evening, before they discover their opponents for next year's quarter-finals.

When will Ronaldo retire from international football?

Cristiano Ronaldo now has the most wins in international football history 🤯

🇵🇹🥇 Cristiano Ronaldo (132)
🇪🇸🥈 Sergio Ramos (131)
🇪🇸🥉 Iker Casillas (121) pic.twitter.com/tIYgGrnVs5

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 15, 2024

Whenever questions arise about Ronaldo's usefulness to the national team - such as in the wake of Portugal's Euro 2024 exit - the five-time Ballon d'Or winner often responds in the only way he knows how; by scoring goals.

Renowned for his unwavering dedication to keeping himself fit all year round, the Portugal captain is still in terrific shape, and he has not ruled himself out of the 2026 World Cup just yet.

Ronaldo will be 41 by the time the next global gathering comes around, but he only has a contract with Al-Nassr until 2025, so a decision over his club future must surely come before any World Cup commitments.

Should the ex-Real Madrid star compete in the 2026 edition, it would represent his sixth World Cup, a feat that no male player has ever managed before; he is currently one of eight men to have appeared in five different tournaments.

Only two of the other seven are still active, Ronaldo's long-time on-field rival Lionel Messi and veteran Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, one of the standout stars of the 2014 edition.