Cristiano Ronaldo was in the starting lineup for the Portugal national team in the group stage match of the 2026 World Cup against the Democratic Republic of Congo. For the 41-year-old forward, this was his sixth World Cup appearance of his career. He has now caught up to Lionel Messi in this regard. Previously, Mexicans Antonio Carbajal, Andrés Guardado, and Rafael Márquez, as well as Germans Lothar Matthäus and Manuel Neuer, had participated in five World Cups. Ronaldo has been playing for the Portugal national team since 2003. He has a victory at the 2016 European Championship and two Nations League titles to his credit. In World Cups, the forward has played 22 matches and scored eight goals. In total, he has played 228 matches for the national team and scored 143 goals.
About the Author
