Phoenix 24
The Portuguese captain becomes the first player to score in six editions.
Houston, June 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo has written another historic chapter by becoming the first footballer to score in six different FIFA World Cups. The Portuguese captain achieved the unprecedented milestone during his team’s group-stage match against Uzbekistan. At 41, he demonstrated that his goalscoring instinct remains decisive on football’s greatest international stage. The achievement further strengthens his position among the most influential players in the sport’s history.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after receiving an assist from João Cancelo, who advanced along the right side before delivering the ball into the penalty area. The veteran forward completed the move with a precise right-footed finish that left the goalkeeper without a response. His goal provided Portugal with an early advantage during an important Group K encounter. It also answered criticism surrounding his performance in the opening draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Portuguese star began his World Cup scoring journey at Germany 2006 and continued finding the net at every tournament that followed. He scored again at South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 before extending the sequence in North America. No other player has previously registered goals across six separate editions of the competition. The record reflects two decades of consistency, physical preparation and exceptional competitive longevity.
Russia 2018 remains Ronaldo’s most productive World Cup campaign after he scored four goals during the tournament. His performances have included decisive penalties, powerful headers and memorable finishes against some of international football’s strongest teams. Although Portugal has never won the World Cup, Ronaldo has remained the central figure of the national team throughout several generations. His leadership has also accompanied Portugal’s transformation into a regular contender for major international titles.
The milestone arrived one day after Lionel Messi established another major World Cup scoring record, adding a new chapter to the historic rivalry between the two football icons. Both players continue competing at an age when most professionals have already retired from international football. Their presence at the 2026 tournament has generated enormous global attention and renewed comparisons between their extraordinary careers. Ronaldo’s achievement, however, belongs exclusively to a player who has scored at every World Cup since his debut 20 years ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s name is once again permanently written into football history.