Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 group J qualification football match between Luxembourg and Portugal at the Stade de Luxembourg, in Luxembourg.
His first-half brace for Portugal on Sunday takes Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo's tally for his country to 122 goals in 198 games having set the international appearance record against Liechtenstein three days before. Ronaldo scored his 121st and 122nd international goals for Portugal against Luxembourg.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal thrashed Luxembourg 6-0, marking his first goal with a new celebration. After bundling in Nuno Mendes’ headed pass from close range, Ronaldo ran to the corner flag to perform his iconic “Siu” celebration – pirouetting in the air before landing in a power stance.
But this time, he ended his goal-scoring routine by pretending to be asleep, an apparent reference to his habit of taking several naps a day. Ronaldo provided a glimpse of the new celebration after scoring for Manchester United against Everton last year, and his former club said the 38-year-old’s sleeping position was a source of amusement to his teammates when the squad traveled to and from games.
Ronaldo netted twice in the 6-0 rout of Luxembourg on Sunday, three days after scoring another brace in the 4-0 win over Liechtenstein when he became the men’s player with the most international appearances with 197.
"Two games, two victories,” the Portugal captain said on his social media accounts after the win at Luxembourg. "Happy to have contributed to a very positive start by our national team. Let’s go.” The goals came against European minnows but seemed to be enough to restore Ronaldo's confidence and his role as a starter with the national team.
"Ronaldo is a unique player and brings a lot of experience to the locker room,” the former Belgium coach said. "He is a reference and is prepared to be a leader and a captain of this national team.”
With his four goals at the start of the Martínez era, Ronaldo extended his international scoring record to 122 goals, 13 more than former Iran striker Ali Daei. Ronaldo’s 198th international appearance on Sunday left him two ahead of Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.
 The double from Ronaldo, the all-time scoring leader in men's football, took his career tally for Portugal to 122 goals in 198 games.