Portugese star, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to action for his country in style after a toe infection forced to him to watch from the stand as Portugal pulled off a comfortable 4-1 win over Croatia last week.
The attacking powerhouse who was a goal from scoring 100 goals for his country, turned up fully for the party last night, scoring not just one, but both goals as his side defeated 10-man Sweden 2-0 in their UEFA Nations League group stage encounter.
The century goal came on the stroke of half-time when the 35-year-old curled home an absolute screamer of a free kick from 24yards which left Swedish goalie, Robin Olsen stranded in his own 18yard box.
The second goal, his 101st was also an absolute stunner and it came in the 72nd minute.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player cut back inside the Swedish defence, off Joa Felix’s pass and produced a roaring finish into the far corner from 20 yards. And once again, the swedish keeper had no chance!
At the age of 19, Ronaldo scored his first international goal at Euro 2004. He has gone on to pass the likes of Eusebio and Pauleta to become Portugal’s all-time top goalscorer and has now more than doubled previous record-holder Pauleta, who netted 47 times for the Selecao.
The 35-year-old is now only the second men’s player to reach 100 goals for his country after Ali Daei, who scored 109 times for Iran and fans can’t get enough of the prolific player.
Congratulations are in other for the Icon as former club, Manchester United joined the host of former and present footballer to applaud Ronaldo’s achievement.
Ronaldo is now just 8 goals away from equally Ali Daei’s record of 109 international goals, how long will it take him to equal it and as expected, surpass it??
