When Messi Refused To Play Against Indonesia, Cristiano Ronaldo Instead Created History

Portugal national team player Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo: Instagram/@cristiano)

JAKARTA - Cristiano Ronaldo recorded a historic record when he appeared for Portugal in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. In the match on Wednesday, June 21 in the morning WIB, Ronaldo has appeared 200 times for Selecao.

Quoted from the official UEFA website, Ronaldo became the starter and captain when Portugal faced Iceland at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Before the match took place, the award ceremony was even carried out for the star. Where he was named a player who successfully scored 200 national team caps.

Ronaldo first started his career with the Portugal national team at the age of 18. On August 20, 2003 became the player's debut and Portugal won 1-0 over Kazakhstan.

At that moment Ronaldo came on as Luis Figo's substitute in the half. Ronaldo was then called back to strengthen Portugal at Euro 2004 and scored his first goal when they lost 1-2 to Greece.

ℂℝ𝟚𝟘𝟘How it started How it's going pic.twitter.com/0HmbLZusZO

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 20, 2023

CR200 How it started How it's going pic.twitter.com/0HmbLZusZO

With a record of 200 appearances to defend Selecao, Ronaldo has also contributed 122 goals for his country's team. The appearance record also puts him at the top for the players who defended the national team the most.

While in second place or below Ronaldo there is a Kuwaiti player, Bader Al Mutawa who recorded 196 matches from September 4, 2003 to June 14, 2022. After that there was a Malaysian player, Soh Chin Ann who made 195 caps with the Malayan Tigers from 19 November 1969 to 18 October 1984.

Even though he has set a record of 200 caps, Ronaldo's opportunity to continue to add to his list of attendance is still wide open. Moreover, at the age of 38 he is still trusted to be the team's mainstay player.