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Cristiano Ronaldo is fast approaching the international record of 109 goals set by Ali Daei.
And the Iranian icon would warmly congratulate the Portuguese star if he surpasses his astonishing feat.
Daei, now 51, scored 109 goals in 149 appearances for Iran between 1993 and 2006, but Ronaldo is close to surpassing him with 102 goals in 169 appearances for Portugal.
The 35-year-old Juventus star has a chance to add to his extraordinary goal tally when Portugal take on Croatia in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night.
With Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Ronaldo hopes to add another record to his considerable collection.
And Daei would be happy to see that happen, telling the Portuguese newspaper Record: ‘I sincerely hope that Cristiano Ronaldo reaches my record for goals with the national team.
‘No way [would it hurt], it would be a real honor for me if a player of his class could do it.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players not only of his time, but of all time. It is an absolute phenomenon.
‘I would congratulate him directly, but he has to get there first.
“Cristiano already has 102 goals for Portugal and he will beat my record, I’m sure of that, but he still has seven goals left.”
Ronaldo’s journey to potential record began when he scored against Greece in the opening match of Euro 2004.
Along the way, he helped lead Portugal to glory at Euro 2016 and also the 2019 Nations League. His goal in the 7-0 friendly over Andorra last week led him to 102 goals, but he couldn’t find the net. against France on Saturday.
That 1-0 defeat saw France clinch top spot in the group and qualify for the Nations League finals next October, leaving Croatia’s match like a dead rubber and Portugal’s title defense. finished.
And Portugal coach Fernando Santos insisted that the pursuit of Ronaldo’s record will not influence his team’s play.
He said: ‘No, of course not, nobody will be thinking about Cristiano. They [the other players] You are not thinking about not scoring to give someone else the chance.
Even Cristiano wouldn’t want that to happen. Cristiano will score when he has to score. They [other players] I won’t be thinking about that. ‘
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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