Cristiano Ronaldo assisted Portugal with two goals against Slovakia on Friday evening to qualify for the European Championship (EK) in Germany. The 38-year-old all-time top scorer hopes to be there himself, but does not want to look too far ahead in the autumn of his career
Ronaldo increased his tally for Portugal with two goals against Slovakia (3-2) to 125, of which he scored 72 after his thirtieth birthday (!). That's more than, for example, the all-time top scorers from other top countries like Germany, England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain have scored in total for their nation. CR7 has also played 202 international matches for Portugal since his debut in 2003.
How many more will be added, Ronaldo did not want to say. 'Due to some things I have experienced, I now only think in the short term. There are people who say that I will continue until I am 40 or 41, but I no longer set those goals for myself. I am now enjoying the moment. I feel good, I am happy at my club and with the national team. I score a lot of goals, I am fit. I enjoy that.'
Ronaldo hopes to be there at the European Championship. 'But there is still a long way to go. I hope I don’t get any injuries or other problems,' said the striker from Al-Nassr, who was honored at Estádio do Dragão in the presence of his family for his 200th international match. 'I never thought I would reach that number. Now I just have to keep taking small steps.'
Thousand
Ronaldo has no more records in his mind that he wants to break. 'The records chase me, I do not chase records.' However, FC Porto president Pinto da Costa has challenged him to aim for a thousand goals. 'That will be difficult,' Ronaldo admitted, who now stands at 857 goals. 'I first have to reach 900. There is still a long way to go, I have to see how I feel mentally and physically. But anything is possible.'
