Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years old, etched his name further into football history on Thursday, becoming the first men’s or women’s player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments. His two goals spearheaded Portugal’s dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, a performance that saw the veteran striker emphatically declare his return to form after a challenging week.
A record-breaking night
The emphatic win in Group K provided a much-needed boost for Portugal, who had drawn 1-1 with DR Congo in their previous outing. Ronaldo opened his account with a half-volley from Joao Cancelo’s cross, before adding a second from a Bruno Fernandes through-ball. Other goals came from Nuno Mendes’ free-kick, an own goal by Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov, and a late strike from substitute Rafael Leao.
Ronaldo’s unprecedented achievement of scoring in six World Cups stands alone, surpassing the five-tournament tallies of Lionel Messi, Brazil’s Marta, and Canada’s Christine Sinclair. This latest milestone also places him as the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history at 41 years, 138 days, just shy of Cameroon’s Roger Milla, who scored in 1994 at 42 years, 39 days.
While Ronaldo’s overall World Cup goal tally of 10 still trails Lionel Messi’s 18, Messi’s recent two-goal haul against Austria, which set its own all-time scoring record, only intensified the spotlight on Ronaldo. Both players have participated in every World Cup since 2006, and they share the longest gap between a player’s first and last World Cup goal at 20 years and 11 days.
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Ronaldo’s longevity is further highlighted by his World Cup appearance record. The match against Uzbekistan marked his 24th World Cup appearance, moving him past Paolo Maldini and levelling Miroslav Klose. Only Lionel Messi (28) and Lothar Matthaus (25) have featured in more World Cup matches.
Defiance and validation
Following the match, Ronaldo was quick to address the recent scrutiny. “I’m back! I’m back!” he exclaimed, adding, “only so they don’t forget – 23 years [doing so] like this.” His comments underscored a challenging period for the Portuguese squad, described by manager Roberto Martinez as a “difficult week” filled with “unfair criticism” after the draw with DR Congo. Martinez praised his captain, noting Ronaldo’s experience in handling such situations and calling him “a perfect captain, very much focused.”
The performance drew widespread praise from former teammates and opposing coaches alike. Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo’s former Manchester United colleague and ex-England captain, acknowledged the striker’s ability to respond under pressure.
“He didn’t have the best game but this is what he does. He’s taken a bit of criticism and this is how he responds. He has done that his whole career,” Rooney told BBC Sport.
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Uzbekistan boss Fabio Cannavaro also lauded Ronaldo’s enduring hunger and impact. “You don’t forget how to play football. He is part of the history of the World Cup,” Cannavaro told BBC Sport, emphasizing that Ronaldo remains “one of the strongest players in the history of football.” Roy Keane, speaking on ITV Sport, echoed similar sentiments, referring to Ronaldo as a “doubted genius” and highlighting his “hunger, and desire to keep getting in there” despite his numerous achievements.
With this record-breaking display, Ronaldo has not only propelled Portugal to a commanding victory but also silenced many of his recent detractors. As Portugal prepares to face Colombia on Sunday, 28 June (00:30 BST) in their final Group K match, the 41-year-old’s defiant performance serves as a potent reminder of his unparalleled drive and enduring legacy on the world stage.
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