Cristiano Ronaldo has made football history once again after becoming the first player to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments, while also edging closer to the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals.
The Portugal captain delivered a decisive performance on Tuesday, scoring twice against Uzbekistan in a dominant display that underlined his enduring quality at the highest level of the game.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute, meeting João Cancelo’s cross with a right-footed finish to put Portugal ahead. He celebrated with teammates on the touchline as the stadium erupted in support.
He added his second goal in the 39th minute, latching onto a pass from Bruno Fernandes before firing home at the near post to extend Portugal’s lead and further cement his place in World Cup history.
The brace pushed Ronaldo into another historic landmark, as he became the first player ever to score in six different World Cup tournaments.
At 41, Ronaldo also moved further up the list of oldest World Cup goalscorers, sitting behind Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who scored at the age of 42 during the 1994 tournament in the United States.
The achievement comes after criticism of his opening group-stage performance against Congo, where he failed to find the net in a 1-1 draw. However, the captain responded emphatically with a trademark display of resilience and finishing ability.
Ronaldo and Argentina captain Lionel Messi remain the only players in history to feature in six World Cup tournaments, with both continuing to extend their records for longevity at the highest level.
The Portuguese forward’s scoring record at the World Cup now stands at 10 goals across his appearances in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and the current edition.
Meanwhile, his career tally continues to approach the 1,000-goal mark, with Ronaldo widely reported to have scored 975 official goals for club and country, keeping alive one of football’s most closely watched milestones.
Across his international career, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 143 goals in 226 appearances, while continuing to add to his legacy as one of the sport’s most prolific forwards.
(The Whistler)