Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has set his sights on becoming the greatest of all time in the world of international football at the UEFA Euro 2020. Currently enjoying his purple patch with Fernando Santos’ men in the 16th edition of the European championship, Ronaldo will look to break the world record of scoring the most international goals when Portugal square off against top-ranked Belgium in the Round of 16 phase of the UEFA Euro 2020 on Monday. 

One of the greatest players in the history of the beautiful game, Ronaldo is one strike away from surpassing the incredible goal tally of Iran star Ali Daei on the international circuit. The 36-year-old is the current joint-highest international goal scorer with former Iran forward Daei. Both Ronaldo and Daei have netted 109 goals for their respective nations in the international arena. 

If Ronaldo finds the back of the net against Eden Hazard-led Belgium in the UEFA Euro 2020 at the Estadio de La Cartuja, the Portugal captain will shatter the world record of most international goals scored by a player in men’s football. Earlier, Ronaldo had matched Daei’s record goal tally by scoring a brace against France in Portugal’s final group game at the UEFA Euro 2020.

Ronaldo converted two penalties against France at the Puskás Aréna to secure Portugal’s last 16 berth in the European championship. Nicknamed CR7, the Juventus icon had also become the all-time combined top scorer in the history of the World Cup and European championship. Ronaldo is also the only player in the history of UEFA Euro to have featured in five European championships.

The 36-year-old is also the current leading goalscorer (5) in the 2020 edition of the European championship. The Round of 16 clash between No.1 ranked Belgium and defending European champions Portugal will mark the first-ever meeting of the two giants in a major tournament. Ronaldo-led Portugal are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Belgium across all competitions.