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Cristiano Ronaldo shared a post on social media after becoming the first player to reach 900 career goals during Portugal's UEFA Nations League Round 1 clash against Croatia. The match ended in a 2-1 win for the Selecao at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Thursday, September 5.
Defender Diogo Dalot opened Portugal's scoring through an assist by midfielder Bruno Fernandes in the seventh minute. Ronaldo doubled the score for the Selecao through an assist by left-back Nuno Mendes. Dalot netted an own goal in the 41st minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo made a post on his official Instagram account where he shared pictures from the match, with the caption (as translated from Portuguese):
"We walked into the Nations League on the right foot! We keep going."
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Following Portugal's win over Croatia in their 2024 UEFA Nations League opener, Ronaldo opened up about achieving the milestone, saying (via @TimelineCR7 on X):
"It means a lot. I've wanted to get there for a long time. I knew I would get there... as I continue to play. It's important to highlight the excellent football performance of both teams. Portugal played very well. We knew how to suffer. We were deserved winners. It was an excellent game."
Ronaldo added (via @FabrizioRomano on X):
"900 goals seems like any other milestone, but only I know how hard it is to work every day to score your 900th goal. It's a unique milestone in my career. I don’t break records… they haunt me!"
Cristiano Ronaldo, who made his senior debut for Portugal in 2003, has recorded 131 goals and 45 assists in 213 appearances for his nation. He is the top scorer and the player with the most appearances in international football.
Bruno Fernandes on Cristiano Ronaldo's 900th career goal in Portugal's win over Croatia
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal teammate Bruno Fernandes shared his thoughts on the five-time Ballon d'Or winner scoring his 900th career goal in Portugal's win over Croatia. The Manchester United star said (via @TimelineCR7):
"I thought we had stopped counting them. We have, but he likes to count them [laughs]. It's a very special number and we're very happy for him. In addition to being Cristiano, he raises the name of our nation to the highest level, as he has done over the years. It's just another normality in his life."
"We ended up stopping counting goals, but he didn't. This is once again taking our country to a higher level. There is no need for many words to describe Cristiano," Fernandes added.
When asked if Bruno Fernandes would like to have Ronaldo in the national squad for the next World Cup, the 29-year-old midfielder said:
"He has to feel good. It depends on him. I know he will make decisions that are in his best interest and for the good of the team."
Cristiano Ronaldo won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and the UEFA European Championship in 2016 with Portugal. The Selecao next face Scotland in the Nations League on Sunday (September 8) at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.
