LISBON: When Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo picks up his 100th cap against Northern Ireland on Tuesday, he will reflect on a career which started in central defence and was marked by early shyness before an explosion of attacking flair made him one of football’s greatest.
Ronaldo, the future 2008 world player of the year, took 2001 world player Figo’s mantle and helped inspire Portugal to third place in FIFA’s world rankings even if a first major international trophy is still elusive as he struggles to shrug off accusations he goes missing in big games.
At 27, he will become one of the youngest European footballers to reach 100 caps.
He is Portugal’s third most capped player behind Figo with 127 and Fernando Couto with 110.
“On Tuesday, I will reach my 100th cap next to my people and only with a victory in mind. I would like to thank all of those who helped me reach this point,” Ronaldo wrote on his Facebook page.
Ronaldo’s club record with Manchester United and Real Madrid speaks for itself. He won La Liga last season and the Copa del Rey the year before after collecting three EPL titles, a Champions League crown and an FA Cup with United.
Ronaldo is now world renowned for his confidence, some would say arrogance, but most of those around him in his early years mention his humbleness and work ethic.
“I remember his shyness in the first practice with the senior team,” Portugal sports director Carlos Godinho said. (Reuters)