Lisbon: Cristiano Ronaldo will break the men’s international appearance record after being included in Portugal’s starting line-up for their Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein on Thursday.
The 38-year-old, who was dropped from Portugal’s starting XI during the World Cup in Qatar, will win his 197th cap for his country.
Ronaldo began his international career in 2003 and last year became the first player to score five World Cup goals before Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals.
He currently plays for Saudi club Al Nasr after his second spell at Manchester United ended acrimoniously.
Ronaldo’s appearance off the bench in the defeat to Morocco equaled the previous mark of 196 caps held by Kuwait’s Badr al-Mutawa.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winners Portugal will be hoping to add to their record tally of 118 international goals as they begin their qualification campaign for next year’s European Championship in Germany.
