Ronaldo Sets New Record: Most International Goals By a European Player
With his 85th international goal against Morocco, Cristiano passes Hungary’s Ferenc Puskás.
Earlier today, in a 1-0 win over Morocco, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 85th international goal to become Europe’s all-time top scorer. His header at the five-minute mark moved him past Hungary’s Ferenc Puskás, who scored 84 goals in 89 appearances between 1945-1956 (it took Ronaldo 152 matches to reach this milestone). The 2018 FIFA World Cup points leader is only surpassed by Iran’s Ali Daei, who scored 109 goals in 149 appearances between 1993-2006.
Maybe more astonishing, Ronaldo’s match-winning header made him the first player since Jose Torres in 1966 to score a goal with his right foot, left foot and head in a single World Cup campaign.
Ronaldo and Portugal’s next match will be against Iran, fittingly enough, on Monday, June 25 at 2 p.m. ET. For more on the World Cup, check out our photos from the first week of play.
