Ronaldo sets a record during his inaugural match - Conceição hails him as a son-like figure - CR7 Breaks Record at Premiere - Conceição Hails Him Like a Leader
Cristiano Ronaldo finally got the monkey off his back after 36 long years tearlessly celebrating a Nations League victory against Germany on Sunday in Munich. Known as the nemesis of the German national team, the football icon not only clinched a historic debut win but also set a record as the oldest player to score against the Germans.
At age 36, Ronaldo outshone the previous record set by Edin Dzeko at 38, marking his 220th international with his 137th goal. Bernardo Silva from Manchester City, praised the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's "incredible ambition," while coach Roberto Martínez lauded him as a role model for never losing his hunger or drive.
Anyone familiar with Ronaldo's professionalism must have been nearly bursting thinking about the losing streak against German teams that has always nagged at him. He's lost to Germany on several occasions, with the most notable losses occurring in the 2006 World Cup third-place match, the 2014 World Cup group stage, quarterfinals in the European Championships in 2008, the group stage in 2012, and 2021.
This time, however, Portugal emerged victorious, and Ronaldo managed to score a goal, yet it was still the only joy he experienced against the Germans. After the long-awaited victory, the emotional superstar left the Munich stadium in a quiet haze.
Meanwhile, Conceição struck again as the Portuguese bogeyman. Back in 2000, Sérgio Conceição, the father of Francisco Conceição, scored three goals for a Portuguese B-team, which led to Germany's humiliating first-round exit from the European Championship. On Wednesday night, it was Francisco coming off the bench to score the equalizer and secure a place in the final for Portugal.
In a heartwarming display, Francisco shared that he speaks to his father every day before every game, and his proud father must have been thrilled to see his son turning the tide in Portugal's favor. The entire Conceição family tradition vividly illustrates the resilience of the glorious Ronaldo era, as Ronaldo Senior's international career ended when Cristiano began his, and now the duo continues to shine side by side.
German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged Ronaldo's exceptional fitness, admiring his dedication to his body at 40. Despite the big win, Ronaldo seems unfazed, remaining focused on his future, with rumors circulating about his potential appearance at the Club World Cup in the USA due to a potential club switch. With retirement still seemingly light-years away, we can expect the ultimate legend to continue making history in the world of football.
- Ronaldo
- Nations League
- Germany
- Portugal
- Munich
- International Match
- Final
- Record
- Oliver Kahn
- Grass
- Sunday
- Real Madrid
- Edin Dzeko
- Manchester
- Bernardo Silva
- Roberto Martínez
- DFB
- Joshua Kimmich
- German National Team
Enrichment Data:
Overall: Cristiano Ronaldo has consistently impacted Portugal's matches against Germany. With Ronaldo on the team, Portugal has played a total of 20 matches against Germany over the years. Germany emerged victorious in 11 games, while Portugal secured four wins and five draws.
Notable Matches:
- Euro 2020: Portugal faced a tough 4-1 defeat to Germany in the group stage. However, the story took a more positive turn when Ronaldo's early goal in the match gave Portugal the lead initially.
- UEFA Nations League Semi-Final 2025: Ronaldo's decisive goal helped Portugal clinch a 2-1 victory against Germany in a crucial game.
- Historical Context: While Ronaldo did not face Germany often in major tournaments during his early career, his impact on these matches significantly improved over time, marking a turning point in the rivalry between the two nations. The goal Ronaldo scored in the 2025 Nations League semi-final was particularly significant, as it ended Germany's unbeaten streak against Portugal and highlighted Ronaldo's defining role in Portugal's successes against one of their toughest opponents.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a European Data Protection Supervisor, further strengthening the protection of personal data across European leagues, including the Premier League. In the world of sports and football, Cristiano Ronaldo's record-breaking international match in Munich solidified his legendary status, as he surpassed Edin Dzeko's record at the age of 36 with his 137th goal in a historic Nations League victory against Germany.
