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July 30, 2025
The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun, and the tournament is officially under a year away. Kicking off on June 11th, an increased number of 48 teams will head to North America, all with the aim of leaving MetLife Stadium on July 19th as world champions. But for Ronaldo, the upcoming showpiece is huge, for multiple reasons.
The first of those is the fact that long-time rival Lionel Messi finally managed to climb his final peak in 2022, leading Argentina to the title for the first time since the days of Diego Maradona. In doing so, for many, he cemented his status as the greatest player that's ever lived, ahead of Ronaldo, settling the GOAT debate for the time being at least. For CR7, the only way he can respond is by claiming the title himself. The second major reason why the tournament is massive for the Portuguese superstar is that it will surely be his final foray onto the global stage. Ronaldo will be aged 41 years and 165 days by the time the final rolls around, and it's hard to imagine him competing - partially on home turf - four years later. So, can he emulate his great rival and claim the biggest prize the beautiful game has to offer before hanging up the boots?
Cristiano Ronaldo - Saphire
Well, online betting sites certainly feel that it's a possibility. Following their upset triumph in this summer's UEFA Nations League, the popular Bovada betting site has listed Portugal as a 12/1 contender. They remain some way behind the likes of frontrunners Spain and France, but after outlasting both of those en route to Nations League glory this summer, doing the same in a year's time isn't as far-fetched as many would like you to believe.
One list that Ronaldo is currently on is the list of the oldest goalscorers at the World Cup. If he scores next summer, he will rise even higher. But where does he currently sit on the list, and who are the oldest goal scorers of all time? Let's take a look.
Ronaldo penalty kick automatic
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) July 5, 2024
pic.twitter.com/YA20xe9x4U
No chronicle of World Cup folklore is complete without Roger Milla. His name evokes that iconic image: a beaming Milla dancing at the corner flag, hips swaying, as stadiums erupted around him. But the drama didn’t end with Italia 1990’s fairy tale run to the quarterfinals.
Fast forward to USA 1994, and at 42 years and 39 days, Milla etched his name even deeper into football mythology by firing home against Russia. Admittedly, the veteran striker's beloved Cameroon slipped to a thumping 6-1 defeat to the Sbornaya, but on this occasion, the smallest number became the biggest. Milla's strike made him the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history, and by some distance, giving the Cameroonians much more than just a consultation - a record that will perhaps stand the test of time.
Defenders, supposedly, are not meant to make history this way. But then, Pepe has never followed a script. At 39 years and 283 days, he soared above the Swiss defense in Qatar’s searing heat, directing a thunderous header past Yann Sommer in the Round of 16. With that strike, he became the World Cup’s second-oldest goalscorer—proof, once again, that age is merely the number on a passport.
Portugal’s 2022 campaign was both thrilling and ruthless — six goals against Switzerland announced their intent, only for upstarts Morocco to pull off an almighty shock and become the first African team to reach the semifinals at Portugal's expense. But despite that defeat, Pepe remained emblematic: resolute, relentless, and rallying teammates with every block and challenge. Representing Portugal at four World Cups, his leadership on and off the pitch remains elemental, the relentless heartbeat of a golden generation always chasing the summit.
Ronaldo’s relationship with the record books is one of constant invasion. In Qatar, facing Ghana, he became the first man to score at five separate World Cups, just one of the great man’s endless list of epic stats. At 37 years and 292 days, he coolly dispatched his penalty, his face betraying not relief, but a quiet satisfaction. Another milestone. Another chapter.
Yet the 2022 World Cup felt like a crossroads. For the first time in two decades, Portugal looked like a better team without their talismanic captain. Indeed, CR7 was dropped for the second round clash against Switzerland, and his younger replacement Gonçalo Ramos duly fired home a hat-trick. Ronaldo remained sidelined for the quarterfinal defeat to Morocco, only to be tasked with coming off the bench and finding a second-half equalizer. It never came.
Even if Portugal reaches the final and Ronaldo scores in it next summer, he still won't clear Milla's long-standing record. He will, however, find himself positioned above compatriot Pepe, and that’s something to be proud of.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on August 19, against Al Ittihad, for the Saudi Super Cup. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad, Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao, Seoul vs Barcelona, Manchester United vs Bournemouth, Arsenal vs Tottenham and Sporting vs Benfica, all matches provided from our soccer live game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad kick-off time (19-08-2025):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 20:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 17:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 15:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 14:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 13:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 10:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 09:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 06:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / bbc.com / cnn.com
