Cristiano Ronaldo has reached a new milestone in his legendary career, becoming the most experienced player in the history of men’s international football.
The Portuguese star now has 219 appearances for his country, pulling ahead of every other European and global player to date. He marked this latest record with a goal in his 219th match, which came against Denmark on March 23, 2025.
The journey to this point began over two decades ago, with Ronaldo making his international debut in 2003. His commitment and consistency for Portugal have kept him in the national setup even at the age of 40. In June 2023, he became the first player to reach 200 international caps, achieving that feat during a European Qualifier against Iceland, where he also scored a late winner.
The match that saw him take the world record for most caps came earlier, in March 2023, when he made his 197th appearance against Liechtenstein. That game placed him ahead of Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa, who previously held the global record with 196. Ronaldo scored twice in that match, showing he still had plenty to offer on the pitch.
Ronaldo passed Spain’s Sergio Ramos in 2021 to become Europe’s most capped player. Ramos had held the continental record with 180 caps before stepping away from international duty in 2023. Luka Modrić of Croatia has since climbed to second place in Europe, with 186 caps, leading his team to the 2023 Nations League final and two consecutive World Cup semi-finals.
Other notable names on the all-time list include Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon with 176 caps, Spain’s Iker Casillas with 167, and Latvia’s Vitālijs Astafjevs with 166. Each of these players enjoyed long international careers and helped shape the footballing legacy of their nations.
Ronaldo’s path to this point hasn’t just been about showing up—it’s been about delivering. He remains the top goal scorer in men’s international football history, having broken Iran’s Ali Daei’s record of 109 goals in 2021. He currently stands at 136 goals, with no signs of slowing down as he continues to find the net in crucial matches.
The impact of his record extends far beyond Portugal. For over 20 years, he has played at the highest level, participating in multiple World Cups and European Championships, and helping his country win the UEFA EURO 2016 title. His leadership, presence, and performances have made him a defining figure of this football era.
Ronaldo’s story is one of endurance, talent, and a deep drive to succeed. While many of his peers have retired, he continues to be called up, proving that age is just a number when paired with fitness, discipline, and a love for the game. His record-setting journey is far from over, and football fans around the world will be watching to see how much further he can go.