Cristiano Ronaldo becomes highest international goal scorer

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the highest goal scorer in international football. Playing for Portugal, Ronaldo led his team to an emphatic 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers. Ronaldo, who recently returned to Manchester United from Juventus, missed a penalty in the 15th minute before John Egan gave Ireland a half-time lead. However, he scored an equalizer in the 89th minute with a header before scoring a winner in the sixth minute of added time. He surpassed Italian great Ali Daei’s tally of 109 goals.

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“This record is mine and it is unique. I'm extremely happy and it's another one for my career. It's about motivation and the desire I have to continue playing football, also from this last contract I made, in which I was happy to return home. If we get up every day with the ambition to motivate and do better, to make the fans and our children happy, that is essential. It's another record for the museum,” ESPN quoted Ronaldo.

Portugal are placed at the helm of Group A with 10 points in four-games, followed by Serbia, who have seven points with a game in hand. The group winner will automatically qualify for the finals in Qatar while the runner ups will play the playoffs.

While Ronaldo achieved this recent feat in the men's career international scoring record, the career international scoring record is held by Canada's Christine Sinclair, who has 186 goals.

Ronaldo made his international debut in 2003 and since has played 180 matches. He is tied with PSG's defender Sergio Ramos for most appearances in international games.