Portugal's clash with France on Wednesday was an exciting but undesirable one for the European Championship holders. Fernando Santos' men only managed to pick up a single point, drawing 2-2 with the World Cup champions, thus finishing third in their group behind first-placed Les Bleus and runners-up Germany.
While Seleção das Quinas did secure progression to the last 16, where they will face Belgium, due to being one of the tournament's best ranked third-placed side, they were at one point headed for a group-stage exit before rescuing a draw. However, despite all of this, the clash with France was a memorable game for one player and that man is Cristiano Ronaldo.
The reason for this is obvious: after scoring both goals in Wednesday's stalemate, the 36-year-old icon moved level with Ali Daei as the men's all-time top scorer in international football. The Juventus ace's second-half penalty, the second of his two goals, was his 109th strike in a Portugal national team shirt, equaling the record the Iranian icon previously held all on his own.
After achieving this excellent feat, Daei showed uttermost class by congratulating the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. The 52-year-old took to his official Instagram account to express honor at seeing such an icon of the game match – and ultimately surpass – his record for most international goals, which he amassed during his career with Team Melli from 1993 to 2006.
"Congratulations to Cristiano who is now one goal away from breaking the men's international goal scoring record," the Iranian wrote.
"I am honoured that this remarkable achievement will belong to Ronaldo – great champion of football and caring humanist who inspires and impacts lives throughout the world. Vamos!"
Cristiano, who is a man of class as well, also took to social media to show gratitude toward Daei for his kind words, hailing the Middle-Eastern icon as a "true champion" of the beautiful game.
"True champions remain champions forever," the Portugal captain wrote on Instagram.
"I'm very proud to read such kind words from a huge idol like you. Thank you, Ali Daei."
With the group stage done and dusted, Ronaldo will now shift his focus to the knockout stages. Portugal will take on Belgium in the round of 16 in what should be a mouthwatering tie. This would be the perfect stage for Cristiano to surpass Daei as he is only a goal short of breaking the current record.
