Cristiano Ronaldo has been making headlines for his incredible two-decade scoring feat for Portugal. He scored his first goal for the national team in 2004, and if he continues to score until at least the next World Cup, his goal-scoring career will span over 20 years. This raises the question of whether any other player has achieved such a remarkable milestone.
One name that often comes up in discussions of longevity in football is Stanley Matthews. He scored his first goal for England in 1934 and his last in 1956, with a career spanning 22 years and seven days. Another player who reached the 20-year mark is Zambian great Kalusha Bwalya, scoring his first goal in 1984 and his last in 2004, totaling 20 years and 37 days.
While Ronaldo’s recent goals against Republic of Ireland brought his goal-scoring career to 19 years and 365 days, there are other players who have achieved similar feats. Kristine Lilly from the USA holds the record for the longest goal-scoring career, spanning 22 years and 282 days. Additionally, there are several other female players who have scored goals for their countries over a 20-year period.
In terms of assists at the European Championships, Karel Poborsky leads the way with eight assists across three tournaments. Cristiano Ronaldo, known for his goal-scoring prowess, has accumulated seven assists over the years. Other notable players with multiple assists include David Beckham, Cesc Fabregas, and Luis Figo.
When it comes to the combination of goals and assists, Ronaldo is far ahead of the competition with a total of 21 goals and seven assists. His performance at Euro 2016, where he provided crucial assists in addition to scoring goals, stands out in the tournament’s history.
Overall, Ronaldo’s remarkable career and achievements have solidified his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His longevity, goal-scoring prowess, and ability to create opportunities for his teammates make him a standout player in the history of the sport. As he continues to break records and defy expectations, football fans around the world eagerly await his next milestone.