World Cup 2022: Ronaldo Sets New Record As Portugal Suffer Shock Exit

• Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo became the joint all-time international cap leader on Saturday, December 10
• Ronaldo was subbed on in the 51st minute of Portugal's World Cup quarter-final match against Morocco
• Despite reaching the iconic milestone the 37-year-old could not help his side avoid an unexpected end to their World Cup aspirations

Cristiano Ronaldo chalked a new milestone in his illustrious playing career, equaling the world record for most men's international appearances.

The Portugal talisman reached the enviable feat in Portugal's shocking defeat to Morocco in their quarterfinal clash on Saturday.

Despite making his landmark 196th international appearance his nation bowed out of the ongoing World Cup at the quarterfinal stage on the back of a one-nil defeat.

What record did Ronaldo equal?

Ronaldo's 2022 World Cup journey came to a crashing halt at the quarterfinal stage, however, he was on hand to reach an iconic landmark.

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According to Guinness World Records, he achieved the record for the most international football caps by an individual (male), stretching his international caps to 196, sharing the record with Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait.

But the record for the most international caps is disputed. Football statistics organisations RSSSF and IFFHS both recognise Soh Chin Ann of Malaysia as their record cap holder with 219 caps but FIFA identifies Bader Al-Mutawa as the holder of the record.

Ronaldo benched again

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will start from the bench when the Selecao file out against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in a quarter-final clash of the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Coach Fernando Santos made a number of bold selection calls during their second-round tie against Switzerland, and they won the game 6-1.

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Goncalo Ramos took centre stage with a hat trick in the encounter, and now the coach seems to have decided to start the forward again, leaving CR7 on the bench.

Ronaldo in tears after Portugal exit

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in uncontrollable tears after Portugal crashed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup following their defeat to Morocco.

Youssef En-Nesyri's first-half header ensured the Atlas Lions became the first African national to reach the semi-final of the World Cup.

Ronaldo, who came on in the second half, could not help his side from exiting the tournament despite the Europeans dominating the game.