“I don’t chase records, they chase me” -Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has set yet another record with 199 international caps, more than any other men’s soccer player in the world - three more than Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa (196). He’ll soon make it 200. And he made a statement that he’s made once (or twice) before: “I don’t chase records, they chase me.”

“I know that I hold some of the records [for the national team],” said Ronaldo. “I am Portugal’s all-time top goalscorer. And I know that I hold a lot more records. But I say this honestly - I don’t chase records, they chase me. That’s why I’m very happy.”

Ronaldo said this of his international appearances, and he said the same thing back in 2021 when he became the fastest player to reach 100 goals for Juventus. Here is how he explained the oh-so-humble statement that year:

“For those who don’t understand what I mean by this, it’s very simple: soccer is a collective game, but it is through individual overcoming that we help our teams achieve their goals. It is always looking for more and more on the field, working more and more off the field, that records eventually emerge and collective titles become inevitable, some being the natural consequence of the other.”

Ronaldo now says he hopes to continue playing for the Portuguese national team for as long as possible.

“I’ll stay here as long as I think I deserve to, as long as I, the coach, and the president think I should,” said Ronaldo. “I will never say no to a place on the national team because wearing that jersey has always been my dream. And not just anyone can get 200 appearances.”

“It shows how much love I have for my country and for the national team,” he continued. “And it’s not a coincidence. That’s what makes me feel so proud. I want to keep playing, to keep making my family, my friends, and the Portuguese people happy. It’s been a long journey for me, but let’s hope I still have a while to go yet.”