Lisbon– Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 40, set a new milestone in international football by becoming the all-time highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifiers. During Portugal’s clash against Hungary at the José Alvalade Stadium on Tuesday, Ronaldo scored twice, bringing his total tally in World Cup qualifying matches to 41 goals, surpassing Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz (39) and Argentina’s Lionel Messi (36).
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with his 947th career goal, equalizing after Hungary had taken the lead in the 8th minute. Just before halftime, he struck again in the 45th minute, marking his 948th career goal and giving Portugal a 2-1 advantage. Despite Ronaldo’s heroics, Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai netted an injury-time goal, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
The match outcome prevented Portugal from securing early qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Nevertheless, the Portuguese squad maintains a strong position at the top of Group F, holding a five-point lead over second-placed Hungary. With two games remaining, Portugal still has a chance to qualify directly for the World Cup with victories in their upcoming fixtures.
Top World Cup Qualifiers Scorers:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 41 goals
- Carlos Ruiz (Guatemala) – 39 goals
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 36 goals
- Ali Daei – 35 goals in 51 matches
- Robert Lewandowski – 33 goals in 42 matches
Ronaldo’s record-breaking performance once again cements his legacy among football’s all-time greats, leaving fans, including Lionel Messi, watching in admiration.
