Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, added yet another accolade to his illustrious career on Sunday night, receiving a Guinness World Record award for achieving the most international wins in history by a male player. The 40-year-old Al-Nassr star was recognized for his remarkable tally of 132 victories with the Portugal national team, a milestone celebrated ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final second-leg match against Denmark at the Estádio da Luz.
Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, was presented with the prestigious certificate in a pre-match ceremony, met with thunderous applause from the home crowd. The record, officially titled “Most Wins in an International Football (Soccer) Career (Male),” marks another chapter in Ronaldo’s storied legacy, surpassing the previous mark of 131 wins held by his former Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos. Ronaldo achieved this feat during Portugal’s 5-1 thrashing of Poland on November 15, 2024, where he scored twice, including a stunning bicycle kick.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s international journey began on August 20, 2003, when he debuted for Portugal in a 1-0 friendly victory over Kazakhstan at the age of 18. Over the past two decades, Ronaldo has transformed into Portugal’s talisman, leading his nation to the 2016 European Championship title and the 2019 UEFA Nations League crown. His 132 wins have come across 217 appearances, during which he has also amassed a world-record 135 international goals.
Speaking after receiving the award, Ronaldo expressed his pride in the achievement. “This is a special moment for me and for Portugal,” he said. “To reach 132 wins shows the dedication, the love I have for this team, and the incredible support from my teammates and fans over the years. I’m honored to be recognized by Guinness World Records, and I’m not done yet—there’s more to come.”
The timing of the award couldn’t have been more poignant, as Portugal faced Denmark in a crucial match to secure a spot in the Nations League semi-finals. Denmark held a 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg, thanks to Rasmus Hojlund’s late strike, but Ronaldo’s presence—and his history of delivering in clutch moments—loomed large. Earlier in the evening, he had endured a rare misstep, missing a penalty just six minutes into the game, a moment that briefly silenced the stadium. However, his resilience and determination, qualities that have defined his career, kept the crowd hopeful for a turnaround.
Ronaldo’s record-breaking win total is a testament to his longevity and consistency at the highest level. From his early days at Sporting CP to his global stardom with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al-Nassr, he has continually defied expectations. His 132 international victories include memorable triumphs such as the Euro 2016 final against France, where he famously coached from the sidelines after an early injury, and countless World Cup and Nations League qualifiers that have solidified Portugal’s status as a footballing powerhouse.