Cristiano Ronaldo has written another chapter in football history, cementing his place as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifiers. At the age of 40, Ronaldo scored twice for Portugal in a crucial match against Hungary, taking his tally in World Cup qualifiers to 41. Ronaldo surpassed Carlos Ruiz’s record (39 goals) that had stood for many years. The achievement further cemented Ronaldo’s place among the legends of world football. Despite speculation that he would retire after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ronaldo’s performances on the international stage are a testament to his incredible athleticism and dedication to his team. His consistent performances have boosted Portugal’s hopes for the 2026 World Cup. If he competes in that World Cup, Ronaldo could become the first player to play in six tournaments. Ronaldo (41) is the top five goalscorer in the current World Cup qualifiers, followed by Carlos Ruiz (39), Lionel Messi (36), Ali Dey (35) and Robert Lewandowski (33). Ronaldo also increased his career goals to 948.
