Ronaldo Leads Applause As Alex Iwobi Celebrates 100th Super Eagles Appearance

Ronaldo Leads Applause as Alex Iwobi Celebrates 100th Super Eagles Appearance Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was among the players who applauded Alex Iwobi as the Nigerian midfielder reached a major international milestone, earning his 100th cap for the Super Eagles during their international friendly against Portugal. The moment, captured on video and widely shared on social media, showed Ronaldo and several Portugal players acknowledging Iwobi’s achievement with applause as the Fulham midfielder was honoured for reaching the century mark in international appearances for Nigeria. Iwobi, who made his debut for Nigeria in 2015 after switching international allegiance from England, has become a key figure for the Super Eagles over the past decade, featuring in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and FIFA World Cup campaigns. The 28-year-old’s milestone comes as he continues to play an important role in Nigeria’s midfield setup, contributing goals, assists and leadership across several major competitions, including Nigeria’s recent AFCON campaigns where the team finished as runners-up in 2023 and secured additional podium finishes in subsequent editions.

The Portugal-Nigeria friendly itself served as a high-profile preparation match for both teams, with Nigeria testing their squad depth against elite European opposition while Portugal fine-tuned their lineup ahead of upcoming international tournaments. Iwobi’s 100-cap achievement places him among Nigeria’s most experienced active internationals, reflecting a career that has spanned major European clubs and consistent national team involvement since his senior debut. The gesture from Ronaldo and the Portugal squad was widely praised by fans online, who described it as a respectful acknowledgment of Iwobi’s longevity and contribution to international football. As Nigeria continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures, Iwobi’s milestone is seen as both a personal landmark and a boost for the Super Eagles’ dressing room, underlining the experience within the squad.