HOUSTON — The Portuguese icon has done it again. Cristiano Ronaldo claimed yet another piece of football history on Tuesday, June 23, becoming the first male player to score in six different World Cups as he netted for Portugal against Uzbekistan.
The 41-year-old captain struck in the sixth minute, marking his ninth career World Cup goal. It was a moment of redemption after Ronaldo faced intense scrutiny for his performance in Portugal’s opening 1-1 draw with Congo on June 17. His last World Cup goal came from a penalty kick against Ghana in the 2022 opener.
Ronaldo, competing in his sixth World Cup, also became the oldest non-goalkeeper to start a match in the tournament’s history. He had already made history in 2022 by becoming the first man to score in five World Cups, a feat that Lionel Messi matched earlier this month when he scored in Argentina’s first game. Messi has since broken the all-time World Cup scoring record.
This championship remains the one elusive prize in Ronaldo’s storied career. His role with the national team has evolved as he has aged, but questions linger over whether the veteran still has the magic for one final run. Entering the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo had scored 143 goals in 228 international matches.
Streaming is available on Fubo or the Fox One App. Spanish language broadcasts are on Telemundo and Peacock. Explore live group standings, stats, and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports. Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, but our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change. Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.
