HOUSTON – Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name further into the annals of football history, becoming the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments. This remarkable achievement came during Portugal’s recent match against Uzbekistan, where Ronaldo netted two goals, showcasing his enduring talent at the age of 41.
Ronaldo’s first goal arrived early in the sixth minute, following a precise cross from João Cancelo. With a deft shot from his right foot, he opened the scoring, sending waves of jubilation through the Portuguese bench as he celebrated with his teammates.
His second goal came in the 39th minute, assisted by Bruno Fernandes. With another well-placed right-footed shot, Ronaldo found the back of the net, bringing the score to 3-0 and solidifying his stature as a World Cup legend.
With these goals, Ronaldo has become the second-oldest player to score at a World Cup, following in the footsteps of Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who was 42 when he scored in 1994. This historic moment came on the heels of criticism directed at Ronaldo for not finding the net in Portugal’s opening match, a 1-1 draw against Congo.
In what is a remarkable milestone, Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are the only men to have participated in six World Cups. Ronaldo’s scoring journey began in 2006, and he has consistently found the back of the net in subsequent tournaments—2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Notably, while both players share the record for the number of tournaments played, Ronaldo stands alone in his scoring streak; Messi did not score in the 2010 World Cup.
As of the latest match, Ronaldo has amassed a total of 10 career goals in World Cup competitions. In comparison, Messi has reached 18 goals after a hat trick against Algeria and two additional goals against Austria, making him the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history.
Tuesday’s game marked the 230th match of Ronaldo’s illustrious international career, a record that underscores his longevity and impact on the sport. With speculation surrounding this being Ronaldo’s final World Cup, his legacy is already cemented, having led Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championship and claimed five Champions League titles with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
___
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
