Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal's All-Time Top Goal Scorer

Not only is Cristiano Ronaldo one of the greatest footballers ever to play the field, but he is also the most prolific scorer for Portugal and proof that one can become great in so many ways with so much talent and dedication to football. Ronaldo's record is simply so great that it dwarfs all others: with 135 goals to his credit, he is a national hero for Portugal as much as a landmark figure in football history for Portugal.

Born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, this journey from birth of a superstar to being the highest goal scorer in Portugal is not astonishing. From a tender age, he provided himself with natural talents for football and was in local clubs before coming across Sporting CP where his talent caught the attention of scouts of the biggest clubs from Europe. A break came along when he signed up for Manchester United in 2003, heralding an astronomical international career. Ronaldo is, therefore, subsequently reported to have spent time at some of the world's great football clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and latterly Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. With each of those stints, he has been scoring goals at a phenomenal rate and, in the process, broke numerous records.

He won his first major international title in 2004 as he ensured Portugal entry into the final of the UEFA European Championship. Although Ronaldo could not win the said competition, it was evident that he was to become one of the best sports stars. Years later, he continued to be among the outstanding players as he received kudos from domestic leagues and international events.

It's even more fantastic due to the variety in which he scores it. Or with that left foot or that majestic header, or be it with a free kick, Ronaldo has been just incredible to find the back of the net. Consistency has been one of his greatest strengths, and even as he ages, he still scores at the highest level.

Thus, Ronaldo's success is not only reflected in statistics while scoring his goals but also in the impact that he leaves on the field. His passion for leadership in football and his commitment to self-improvement have been an excellent guide for aspiring young footballers everywhere in the world. He is an important player of the Portugal national team, and his past achievements have inspired them to victory in major championships, such as the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and the UEFA Nations League in 2019. Apart from himself, the mere presence of Ronaldo on the field inspires the other players and instils the country with a "sense of belief that they could win.".

Two football legends come right behind Ronaldo in the number of goals scored for Portugal. Those are Pauleta and Eusébio. Pauleta, who played for the national team between 1997 and 2006, scored 47 in all international matches. In fact, the real trademark of the now Portuguese legend was in his clinical finishing and deadly precision to find the back of the net under practically any circumstances. He played in many matches for Portugal-for many years, the backbone to great success some years after Pauleta's farewell.

Third is Eusébio. He was another icon in Portuguese football with 41 goals. Many called him the "Black Panther." He was probably the most talented striker in the world at his time. His lethal scoring ability from anywhere within the pitch, plus his speed and power, made him a nightmare for defenders. Indeed, Eusébio was crucial when Portugal finished third in the 1966 FIFA World Cup in which he was also the tourney's top scorer.

Fourth is Luís Figo, Ronaldo's teammate and Portugal's most talented player, with 32 goals. Figo, who played for the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan, was wonderful on his feet, perhaps as good as anyone in the world, dribbling, passing, and reading the game. Creativity and technical sophistication defined Portugal's international triumphs in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

With a record of 135 goals for Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo will be all too well known during his lifetime and for generations to come as one of the greatest to hoist the flag of this nation. His legacy is marked both by style and gravitas. Until recently, he proved to be one of the more dynamic players around, still delivering good performances at this stage of his career.