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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Matthew Abbott

Former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after 'special' record-breaking game

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken of his pride in breaking the record for receiving the most men's international caps following Portugal's European Championship qualifier against Liechtenstein.

The former Manchester United player has now played 197 times for his country, a tally that moves the 38-year-old one appearance past Kuwaiti legend Bader Al-Mutawa. Ronaldo marked the occasion by scoring twice during a 4-0 win.

The goals also mean Ronaldo has now scored at least one international goal a year since 2004 as he extended his international goal tally to 120.

READ MORE: Ronaldo breaks international record

"Such good feelings for playing again and scoring for our national team and in a special stadium for me," he wrote on social media after the game. "Proud to be the most capped player ever."

The Estádio José Alvalade is a special stadium for Ronaldo as it is the home of his boyhood club Sporting CP. It was, though, two Benfica academy graduates who opened the scoring, as Manchester City pair Joao Cancelo, currently on loan at Bayern Munich, and Bernardo Silva scored either side of half-time to put Portugal in a commanding position.

Four minutes after Silva slotted in the second, Cancelo won a penalty and Ronaldo did the honours from the spot. The fourth and final goal of the game also came from a set piece. Just after the hour mark, Ronaldo slotted home the 60th free-kick of his career.

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