Ronaldo has now scored in every tournament since his debut in 2006 Germany, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and North America 2026. His brace against Uzbekistan lifted his tally to 10 World Cup goals, surpassing Eusébio’s nine from 1966. At 41 years and 138 days, Ronaldo is also the second oldest scorer in World Cup history, behind Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored at age 42 in 1994.
He opened the scoring in the sixth minute, finishing João Cancelo’s cross, and added a second in the 39th minute from Bruno Fernandes’ pass. Portugal dominated Uzbekistan, with additional goals from Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leão, and an own goal.
The win puts Portugal back on track in Group K after a disappointing draw with DR Congo. They now face Colombia in a decisive match for progression. Lionel Messi also made history this year by appearing in six World Cups, but Ronaldo stands alone as the only player to score in all six. Messi remains the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals.
Ronaldo’s overall tally now stands at 144 international goals, the most by any male player. His achievement underscores the possibility of elite performance well into a player’s 40s, challenging assumptions about age and athletic decline.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez praised Ronaldo’s resilience after criticism following the opening match. Fans worldwide celebrated the milestone, with stadium chants and social media tributes marking the achievement. Analysts noted that while Messi leads in total goals, Ronaldo’s consistency across six tournaments sets a unique benchmark in football history.
The record also carries symbolic weight for Portugal, a nation that has relied on Ronaldo’s leadership for two decades. His longevity reflects advances in sports science, nutrition, and training that allow elite athletes to extend their careers. Globally, the achievement reinforces football’s status as the most watched sport, with Ronaldo’s milestone drawing attention far beyond Portugal and Uzbekistan.
Governments and sports organizations have also acknowledged the feat. FIFA officials hailed Ronaldo’s record as “a landmark moment in World Cup history,” while Portugal’s prime minister described him as “a national treasure whose dedication inspires generations.”
