Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from the Portugal national team, closing a long chapter for the country and for world football. The 41-year-old forward leaves the Portuguese side as the all-time leading scorer in international football.
A record-breaking career in the national shirt
Ronaldo made his senior debut for Portugal in 2003. Across 234 appearances, he found the net 146 times, a tally that puts him well clear of the rest of the international scoring charts.
His closest rival on that list is Lionel Messi, who has scored 126 goals in 208 matches for Argentina. Ronaldo’s lead over the Argentine stands at 20 goals.
The top of the all-time list
Behind the two superstars, Iran’s Ali Daei sits third with 108 goals. India’s Sunil Chhetri follows with 95, while Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku is fifth with 94. Poland’s Robert Lewandowski has 92, and England’s Harry Kane completes the top seven with 91.
Ronaldo’s departure from the Portuguese set-up marks the end of an era, and with it the world’s most prolific international goalscorer steps away from the national team stage.
Source: www.abc.com.py
