Cristiano Ronaldo fired a not-so-subtle message to Lionel Messi after scoring his 900th career goal, claiming Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph is ‘equivalent’ to winning a World Cup.
The 39-year-old icon, who has had a near career-long rivalry with Messi, reached the remarkable milestone this evening as Portugal opened their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Croatia.
It was a mixed night for Ronaldo’s former Manchester United team-mate Diogo Dalot in Lisbon, with the defender breaking the deadlock early on before directing into his own net at the other end of the pitch.
Fortunately for Dalot, Ronaldo’s 34th-minute strike proved decisive and Roberto Martinez’s men held firm to secure maximum points from the heavyweight clash at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz.
After volleying Nuno Mendes’ inviting cross beyond Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, Ronaldo dropped to his knees and broke down in tears, clearly overcome with emotion at his astonishing achievement.
Ronaldo and co will look to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition when they play host to Scotland in their second Group A contest on Sunday evening.
Speaking to the media after becoming the first player in history to score 900 goals, Ronaldo insisted ‘enjoying football’ was now his sole motivation – rather than winning the World Cup.
‘Portugal winning Euros is equivalent to winning a World Cup,’ the veteran attacker said.
‘I’ve already won two trophies for Portugal that I really wanted. I’m not motivated by that.
‘I’m motivated by enjoying football and the records come naturally.’
Ronaldo added: ‘Scoring 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!’
Ronaldo’s goal against Croatia was the legendary Portuguese’s 131st for his country.
The remaining 769 goals have come at club level with Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr.
Ronaldo scored his first ever goal in professional football as a 17-year-old way back in October 2002.
By comparison, Messi has scored 838 goals across his career in club and international football.
However, the Inter Miami star achieved something which has so far evaded his great rival when he led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022.
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