Cristiano Ronaldo Scores Twice Against Liechtenstein To Become First Player To Reach 100 International Goals

The Portugal player now has 60 career free-kick goals in his kitty, only two short of Lionel Messi's tally of 62.

Cristiano Ronaldo in action.

Source : Getty

On Thursday, Cristiano Ronaldo scripted history in the ongoing UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier game against Liechtenstein as he scored twice.  He became the most capped player in the history of the game and helped Portugal win by 4-0. In the game against Liechtenstein, the 38-year-old registered his 197th  international cap.

HE ABSOLUTELY SMASHED IT 🐐🇵🇹

A truly blistering strike from Ronaldo as he earns himself a brace in spectacular fashion! pic.twitter.com/aS9BhNvFdz

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 23, 2023

CRISTIANO RONALDO FREE KICK GOAL FOR PORTUGAL!

HE'S SCORED FREE KICKS IN BACK TO BACK MATCHES 😳 pic.twitter.com/vKy0afV1Q1

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 23, 2023

He scored his first goal from the penalty region while the second came through a free-kick. After he scored the second goal, he also became the first player to get to 100 competitive goals in men's international football history. The Portugal player now has 60 career free-kick goals in his kitty, only two short of Lionel Messi's tally of 62.

In an interview ahead of Portugal's match against Liechtenstein, Ronaldo talked about his second stint with Premier League giants Manchester United and his controversial exit before his blockbuster signing with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. The 38-year-old described his decision to return to Old Trafford as a bad decision.

“Sometimes, you have to go through some things to see who is on my side. I have no problem saying, I had a bad career run, but there’s no time for regrets,"  Ronaldo said at a presser ahead of the qualifier game.

After his first stint with United where he rose to fame, Ronaldo spent over a decade away from the Premier League, enjoying successful stints with La Liga club Real Madrid and Serie A side Juventus. When he returned to United, he had a great comeback game scoring a brace at the Theatre of Dreams and a good season personally, finishing as the club's top goal scorer. 

"Life goes on and, doing well or not, it was part of my growth," he added.