Of all the individual successes in Cristiano Ronaldo’s career, this may be the highest.
The Portugal star is now the top scorer in international men’s football history, having reached 110 against the Republic of Ireland in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifiers despite a penalty saved in the first half.
Ronaldo surpassed the tally of 109 set by Iranian great Ali Daei, a figure once thought unlikely to ever be beaten, in the 89th minute and moved to 111 with a timed header in the Algarve to complete the his brace.
To honor the latest record of the new Manchester United striker, Stats Perform has chosen perhaps the 10 greatest goals he has scored in his extraordinary career …
Manchester United v Portsmouth: 30 January 2008
Perhaps the best free kick Ronaldo has scored in his career.
The Portuguese developed his reputation as a set piece master at United and unleashed a phenomenal 25-yard effort overtaking David James as part of a brace to send Alex Ferguson’s side to the top of the Premier League.
His knuckleball technique sent the swirling ball into the upper right corner for one of his defining moments at Old Trafford.
#mufc Goal of the 2007/08 season: Cristiano Ronaldo – Portsmouth. https://t.co/B0eAkESu7Q
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 30, 2016
Porto v Manchester United: April 15, 2009
He had absolutely no right to mark this.
Returning to his homeland for a Champions League quarter-final against Porto, Ronaldo picked up the ball in the middle of the opposing half, pulled it out of his feet and sent a searing blow to Helton’s back to seal a victory for 1-0 at the Estadio do Dragao and a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored an unstoppable effort for #mufc against Porto on this day in 2009. Superb! https://t.co/7xRMBjNusy
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 15, 2015
Almeria-Real Madrid: April 15, 2010
Ronaldo has become more of a poacher in the penalty area in recent seasons, but this effort against Almeria was a reminder of how devastating it can be when starting with the ball out of the box.
Rafael van der Vaart regained possession in the Almeria half-court and the ball was handed over to Ronaldo, who sped past two challenges, left a third defender for dead with a step forward and then punctured home with his foot left. The guests would go on to win 2-1.
Sevilla v Real Madrid: 17th December 2011
Sevilla got fed up with the sight of Ronaldo during his time in Spain – he scored 27 times against them, after all – but this shot in a 6-2 is perhaps the best of them.
22 – @Christian Ronaldo has scored 22 goals against Atlético de Madrid in all competitions, the third most against an opponent in his career after Sevilla (27) and Getafe (23), except for penalties. Nightmare pic.twitter.com/O74cj7mLY2
– OptaJose (@OptaJose) 17 December 2018
After picking up Karim Benzema’s pass at 30 yards, Ronaldo took advantage of the time and space granted him by the defense to throw a shot in the top right corner, the shot on the ball made him totally unstoppable. He was one of three scored that day at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Real Madrid-Valencia: May 4th 2014
It wasn’t enough to keep Real’s title race alive, but this was another goal that showed Ronaldo’s killer instinct and dexterity.
In the second stoppage time, with Valencia leading 2-1, Angel Di Maria flew a cross from the left and Ronaldo spun to score a back-heel volley and snatch a point.
VIDEO – Cristiano Ronaldo’s fantastic heel goal against Valencia (commentary in English) http://t.co/RJT6OBqJx9 #RealMadridValencia
– Real Madrid CF (@realmadriden) 5th May 2014
Real Madrid-Espanyol: 31 January 2016
Although his game had gotten more refined from those early days as a buccaneer, Ronaldo showed here that he wasn’t done yet when it came to solo racing and spectacular finishes.
With Real already leading 3-0 in what would have turned out to be a 6-0, James Rodriguez’s pass was diverted to Ronaldo’s path and he did the rest, showing brilliant footwork to jump over three challenges before shooting home from the edge of the area with your left foot.
Hungary v Portugal: 22 June 2016
Portugal fell three times behind Hungary in Lyon during Euro 2016, and Ronaldo brought them to level on the second occasion with a show of skill.
The captain added a clever tail shot to Joao Mario’s cross from the right for the 2-2, and nullified Balazs Dzsudzsak’s second with a brace. It was enough to send Portugal to the second round and from there they won their first international title.
Did you know? Ronaldo can also balance the trophy on his head. # EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/WK9mLZkhSL
– UEFA Nations League (@UEFAEURO) 10th July 2016
Juventus-Real Madrid: 3 April 2018
Probably the best goal that Ronaldo has produced.
Moving away from the goal as Dani Carvajal dug a cross to the spot from the right, the Portuguese rose into the air and connected with a stunning overhead kick. His leg was at right angles to his body as he hit with the sweetest of volleys as he passed an inactive Gianluigi Buffon.
“It was fantastic, probably the best of my career.”
A year ago today – one of the greats #UCL goal – Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational overhead kick in Turin! #On this day @Christian pic.twitter.com/5nbrzSqXDw
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 3, 2019
Portugal v Spain: 15th June 2018
After giving his side the lead twice, Ronaldo found Portugal 3-2 ahead of their Iberian neighbors in the thrilling first match of the 2018 World Cup.
While there was a sense of inevitability when he stopped on an 88th-minute free-kick, the execution was pure perfection: power and dive combined to leave David de Gea without a chance.
Juventus-Manchester United: 8 November 2018
Another decorated Portuguese was celebrating full-time when Jose Mourinho saw his United side complete a 2-1 comeback win.
But Ronaldo struck first with a lavish and technically brilliant shot, watching Leonardo Bonucci’s raking ball over his shoulder to direct home.
The first of Cristiano Ronaldo #UCL Juve’s goal or Juan Mata’s free kick?
Watch THAT Manchester United comeback at Juventus … pic.twitter.com/pNa7ENHqrk
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 11 November 2018