Cristiano Ronaldo made history at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, June 23, 2026, scoring for Portugal against Uzbekistan in the 7th minute after a disappointing opening match against Congo. The goal was described as a brilliant finish, and it gave the 41-year-old forward another milestone in an extraordinary international career.
With this strike, Ronaldo became the first player ever to score in six different World Cups, spanning the tournaments from 2006 to 2026. The closest player to that mark is Lionel Messi, who has scored in five World Cups and did not score in 2010.
Ronaldo also remains the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football, with 144 goals in 229 appearances for Portugal. In World Cup play overall, he has now scored nine goals. The article notes that he has drawn closer to the symbolic 1,000-goal career mark.