Euro 2004 on home soil
A 19-year-old Ronaldo helped Portugal reach the European Championship final in Lisbon, where they were beaten 1-0 by Greece. It was the first major tournament of his international career.
The Sweden play-off – 2013
With a place at the 2014 World Cup on the line, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 win in Sweden to win the play-off 4-2 on aggregate. Zlatan Ibrahimović scored twice for the hosts but couldn’t stop him.
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The Wales semi-final – Euro 2016
Ronaldo rose high to head Portugal in front against Wales in Lyon, equalling Michel Platini’s record of nine European Championship goals. Minutes later, Nani turned in his shot to make it 2-0 and send Portugal to the final.
Champions of Europe – Euro 2016
Ronaldo was forced off injured early in the final against France. He came back to the touchline before extra time to rally his tired team-mates, and Éder’s winner gave Portugal their first major trophy.
The Spain hat-trick – 2018 World Cup
Ronaldo scored all three goals in a 3-3 draw with Spain in Sochi, completing his first World Cup hat-trick with an 88th-minute free-kick.
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Nations League winner – 2019
He scored a hat-trick against Switzerland in the semi-final, and Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the final to win the first Nations League.
Breaking Ali Daei’s record – 2021
Portugal were losing 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland late on when Ronaldo scored two headers, his 110th and 111th international goals. That took him past Ali Daei as the all-time top scorer in men’s international football.
200 caps – 2023
Against Iceland, Ronaldo became the first man to play 200 internationals. He scored an 89th-minute winner and received a Guinness World Record certificate before kick-off.
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A second Nations League – 2025
At the age of 40, Ronaldo scored the equaliser in the final against Spain in Munich, and Portugal won 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Six World Cups – 2026
Ronaldo scored twice in a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan in Houston, becoming the first player to score at six World Cups. The goals also took him past Eusébio as Portugal’s leading World Cup scorer.
Photo: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
