Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. File
| Photo Credit: AP
Cristiano Ronaldo, your turn.
The 41-year-old is set to enter the World Cup on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) when Portugal meets Congo after impressive performances by the tournament’s other top stars.
France’s Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland of Norway each had two goals as they opened their World Cup campaigns on Tuesday (June 16, 2026), while Lionel Messi scored a hat trick for Argentina. That gave Messi 16 career goals in the World Cup, tying him with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the all-time record.
Ronaldo is also looking to make history by becoming the first player to score in six World Cups. Messi, too, is playing in his sixth World Cup but failed to find the net in 2010.
“Well, I wish him the best — I hope that he scores but not against us,” Congo coach Sébastien Desabre said of the Portugal forward.
Ronaldo’s focus has been on his team’s success.
“We go match by match, but not with the expectations of winning it all,” Ronaldo told reporters in Portugal last week before the team’s departure. “It has to be step by step. A good start is the most important thing,” Some Portugal supporters question whether the aging star will be a help or a detriment to the team.
After scoring just once in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo was upset after he subbed off against South Korea and benched for the club’s first knockout-stage match against Switzerland. He also failed to score in the 2024 European Championship — the first time that has happened at a major international tournament.
But Ronaldo has also shown signs of his old productivity.
He scored eight goals during Portugal’s 2025 UEFA Nations League title, including an equalizer in the final against Spain. And, he recently won his first Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr, scoring a club-high 28 goals.
Published – June 17, 2026 09:46 am IST
