Cristiano Ronaldo’s 111 international goals broken down with stats showing Man Utd star is no flat-track bully

CRISTIANO RONALDO became the men's all-time record international goalscorer after netting a brace for Portugal against Republic of Ireland on Wednesday night.

The 36-year-old surpassed Iran's Ali Daei to set a breathtaking world record of 111 and his goals have come in many forms and against many different opponents.

The feat gets all the more astonishing when you analyse that breakdown of his international strikes.

What leaps out immediately is just how prolific Ronaldo is in the qualifying campaigns for major tournaments.

The Manchester United man has netted 33 goals in 42 World Cup qualifiers and 31 times in 35 Euro qualifiers.

And he's not so bad at the major tournaments themselves.

A total of 21 goals in 42 games at World Cups and European Championships - a record of one in every two games on the grandest of international stages.

It will also be surprising to some that just 14 of his goals for Portugal have come from the spot - especially as some rival fans have labelled him 'Penaldo'.

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Other incredible stats include 28 headed goals - showcasing his aerial prowess - and 21 from outside the box.

He has scored at least one international goal in every year since 2004, with 2019 (14) his most prolific year.

Some of his most memorable goals for Portugal include the famous 90th minute free-kick against Spain at World Cup 2018 to earn his side a 3-3 draw.

Then there was also the sumptuous backheel at Euro 2016 against Hungary.

And who can forget the towering header he thumped home past Wales keeper Wayne Hennessy at the very same tournament on their way to lifting the trophy?

Staggeringly, 6,290 days have passed since his first international goal against Greece at Euro 2004 and his double last night.

As a result, he will not be available for the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Tuesday and could even return before their friendly with Qatar in Hungary on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo looks set to meet up with his new Man Utd team-mates earlier than expected after picking up a one-match ban for being booked against Ireland.

The Red Devils striker was cautioned for taking off his shirt while celebrating his second goal.

Portugal boss Fernando Santos said: “I understand why Cristiano did what he did [with his celebration].

“He had very strong emotions, had scored twice to earn us the win - but I think he’s already regretting it.

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“Of course the record was always going to happen. If it hadn’t been against Ireland, it would have been another day. But now we have to decide if he stays with us at all.

“Now he is suspended, it doesn’t make any sense for him to come with us to Azerbaijan.

“But we also have to travel to Hungary and we must think about whether it is worth taking a player in these conditions.”

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