The records Cristiano Ronaldo could break at the 2026 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of the most influential figures in world football. With more than two decades of experience , the Portuguese has built a career full of titles, goals and historic moments that place him among the best players of all time .

Since his debut with Sporting Lisbon in 2002, CR7 has left his mark on all the clubs he has played for and, above all, on the Portugal national team .

The impact of the striker on his national team has been decisive. Before his emergence, Portugal had only qualified for three World Cups. Since his arrival, the country has participated in six consecutive editions , as well as winning a European Championship (2016) and two UEFA Nations Leagues (2019 and 2025). With him, the history of Portuguese football changed forever.

The 2026 World Cup will be his last chance to lift the trophy

The next World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada , looks set to be Cristiano Ronaldo's last great opportunity to win the trophy he is missing: the World Cup. Although his detractors rightly point to this absence, the fact is that his presence in the tournament already represents a range of records that he can break.

One of them is to become the oldest player to win a World Cup . If Portugal reaches the title and Ronaldo has minutes in the tournament, he would lift the cup at the age of 41 , surpassing Dino Zoff, champion in Spain 1982 at 40 . A record that seemed unattainable until now.

CR7 aims to become the first player to play in six World Cups

Another historic milestone is within reach: to be the first footballer to play in six editions of the World Cup . With just one second on the pitch, Ronaldo would enter the record books. Lionel Messi could match that figure if he is present, which would add a new chapter to their eternal rivalry.

In terms of matches played, the Portuguese player has 22, placing him in fifth place. With three group stage matches he could surpass Maldini, Klose and Mattheus to move into second place. The only complication is the absolute leader: Messi, with 26.

The most difficult challenges: goals and offensive records

The most complex category for CR7 will be goals. He currently has eight and needs eight more to equal Miroslav Klose, who holds the record with 16 in total. Messi (13), Mbappe (12) and Harry Kane (eight) are the closest rivals among active footballers.

However, there is one record that Ronaldo already holds: he is the only player to have scored in five different World Cups. If he scores in 2026, he will extend a record that not even Messi - who has scored in four editions - has been able to match.