Cristiano Ronaldo defies critics and becomes first to score at six World Cup tournaments | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments when he put Portugal ahead against Uzbekistan in their second group game.

The 41-year-old, who continues to raise the bar for longevity in football, has now scored nine goals in the finals hosted in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

It comes as Lionel Messi – with whom Ronaldo has been in competition for fans’ recognition as the greatest of all time, or ‘GOAT’ – became the new all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup with 18 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s 16 for Germany.

Alongside Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé got their World Cup accounts underway with a brace in the opening round before repeating their success against Senegal and Iraq respectively, bringing criticism over his performance in the opening round.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez defended his team’s showing in their draw with DR Congo, who entered into their first World Cup tournament in 52 years, in particular the criticism levelled towards the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar.

The Independent described Ronaldo as “a statue” in his country’s opening match and said that Portugal had sacrificed “yet another World Cup to Cristiano Ronaldo’s ego”.

The Telegraph, meanwhile, compared the No. 7’s performance with Lionel Messi’s, rekindling an old debate.

“The day after Lionel Messi showed why he remains in the Argentina squad, Portugal were perhaps given a reminder of why Cristiano Ronaldo should not be in theirs,” the newspaper wrote.

Portugal currently lead Uzbekistan as they look to secure a much-needed victory to settle the nerves within the Portugal camp.

Martinez’s side will provisionally go top of Group K on four points with a win before Colombia face off against DR Congo in an intriguing contest at 03:00 (BST) tomorrow.

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