The worldwide anticipation for the 2026 World Cup is already constructing, not least as a result of it guarantees a possible last look for 2 of soccer’s everlasting rivals: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Whereas Messi fulfilled his career-long ambition by main Argentina to the title in Qatar in 2022, Ronaldo continues his relentless quest for the one main trophy to elude him. Portugal has already secured its place on the match in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, setting the stage for an insane report Cristiano Ronaldo might break forward of Lionel Messi on the upcoming World Cup.
This potential second of non-public and nationwide glory just isn’t solely an opportunity for Ronaldo to finish his astonishing trophy haul—which already consists of 5 Champions Leagues and league titles throughout England, Spain, and Italy—but additionally a possibility to cement a really distinctive place in World Cup historical past, all whereas going through a race towards time and a possible opening ban.
Roberto Martinez’s facet confirmed its qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a crushing 9-1 rout of Armenia on Sunday, guaranteeing that Ronaldo may have the possibility to seem at a report sixth World Cup. The 40-year-old celebrity shall be 41 by the point the match kicks off subsequent June. His presence on the occasion will see him and Lionel Messi—whose defending champion, Argentina, has already secured its spot—surpass greats like Germany’s Lothar Mattheus, who appeared in 5, and be a part of an unique, unprecedented membership of six-time contributors.
This qualification got here regardless of the Al-Nassr veteran being suspended for the decisive match towards Armenia following a straight crimson card he obtained in the2-0 loss to Eire earlier that week. Regardless of nearing the top of his profession and having left top-flight European soccer to play in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo continues to amass unimaginable feats, having just lately led Portugal to the Nations League and changing into the main scorer in World Cup qualifying video games with 41 objectives.
The report that will rewrite historical past
If Ronaldo does handle to guide Portugal all the best way to glory in 2026, he wouldn’t solely safe the World Cup for the nation for the primary time ever however would additionally break a 44-year-old report held by Italian goalkeeping legend Dino Zoff.
The report is for the oldest participant ever to win the World Cup. Zoff set the report for the oldest participant to carry the World Cup in 1982, at 40 years and 133 days. If Cristiano Ronaldo had been to win the World Cup in 2026, he would shatter that report, changing into the oldest participant to carry the trophy on the age of 41 years and 164 days. This monumental achievement can be a shocking capstone to a profession that he himself just lately stated can be his final shot at profitable the coveted title.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal
The looming shadow of suspension
The potential for this historic second is presently threatened by the looming shadow of a disciplinary ban. The crimson card Ronaldo obtained towards Eire—the place VAR adjudged he had elbowed Irish defender Dara O’Shea—might lead to a three-match suspension. Underneath the present ruling, which has already meant he missed the essential qualifier towards Armenia, the ban can be carried into the 2026 World Cup, ruling him out of Portugal’s opening two matches ought to they safe direct development.
