Cristiano Ronaldo Receives Guinness World Records Award
- AP Photo/Brynjar Gunnarsson
VIVA – The football player, Cristiano Ronaldo has received the Guinness World Records award after becoming the first male player to make 200 international appearances.
The Portugal star marked the milestone by scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute as Portugal pipped Iceland 1-0 on Tuesday in the European Championships qualifying.
Before the kick-off, Ronaldo was honored by Guinness World Records for reaching 200 games for Portugal almost 20 years after his debut.
"I'm very happy, it's a moment you don't expect to reach 200 appearances. For me this is an unbelievable achievement," Cristiano Ronaldo told UEFA TV.
"Being included in the Guinness Book of World Records is an incredible thing, surely being able to score makes it even more special," he added.
"I thank Iceland, the people, the fans who were in the stadium for the honor given to me. Also for the Portuguese national team, the federation. I am very happy, it is a special day and I thank everyone."
His incredible achievement is also an occasion to glance back at the very beginning of Ronaldo's career, now an internationally celebrated athlete with several records in the bag and coveted by many international clubs, he debuted professionally in 2002, at the age of 17.