Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 102nd goal for Portugal last week, edging his way closer to become the all-time leading goalscorer in international football.
Ronaldo is now just 7 goals behind Ali Daei, the Iranian international who holds the record currently. Daei scored 109 goals in 149 games for his country.
The Portuguese international was on target last week in a 7-0 drubbing of Andorra, but missed chances to close the gap on Daei in the weekend’s 1-0 loss to France, and in Tuesday’s 3-2 win against Croatia.
“I sincerely hope that Cristiano Ronaldo will reach my goal record for the national team,” Daei was quoted as saying to Record.pt.
“It would be a real honour for me if a player in his class could do it.”
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players not only of his time, but of all time. He is an absolute phenomenon.”
“I would congratulate him directly. But first he has to get there.”
“Cristiano Ronaldo already has 102 goals for Portugal and will beat my record, I’m sure of that, but he still has seven goals to go.”
