Ronaldo scores in sixth World Cup to set record a day after Messi did the same

Cristiano Ronaldo etched his name further into World Cup history on Wednesday, becoming the first player ever to score in six editions of the tournament after netting for Portugal against Uzbekistan at Houston Stadium in a Group K match at the 2026 World Cup.

The 41-year-old needed fewer than six minutes to silence doubters who had criticised his subdued display in Portugal’s opening draw with DR Congo. Joao Cancelo drove down the right flank and cut a low cross into the penalty area, where Ronaldo hooked a first-time shot inside the near post to put his side ahead.

The milestone arrived just 24 hours after Ronaldo’s long-time rival Lionel Messi became the first player to appear in six World Cups. Messi went further still in the group stage, scoring his first World Cup hat-trick and equalling Miroslav Klose’s all-time scoring record in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City, before adding two more goals in a 2-0 victory over Austria. The 38-year-old now holds the records for both World Cup goals (18) and appearances (28).

Ronaldo’s World Cup journey stretches back to 2006, when he scored once as Portugal reached the semi-finals at the age of 21. He added one goal each at the 2010 and 2014 tournaments before a more productive 2018 campaign in which he scored four times. A single goal followed at the 2022 World Cup, where Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

His nine World Cup goals in total remain well short of Messi’s tally, and he has yet to score in the knockout rounds or appear in a final. However, should Portugal advance deep into the expanded 48-team tournament, Ronaldo could surpass Germany’s Lothar Matthaus to become the second-highest scorer in World Cup history.