Ronaldo Stamps History Again: A New World Cup Qualifier Record

Historic milestone for Ronaldo

Ronaldo continued his history-writing run by scoring a brace in the first half of Portugal's match against Hungary in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The Portugal captain started in his usual starting XI, turning the script after the visitors took an early lead and sending Portugal 2-1 ahead before halftime.

Ronaldo's first goal came from an assist by Nelson Semedo in the 22nd minute, and his second came in stoppage time (45+3) after a pass from Nuno Mendes.

Beyond the numbers

The first goal gave Ronaldo a path to 40 World Cup qualifying goals, breaking the tie with Guatemalan Carlos Ruiz (39).

He became the all-time top scorer in World Cup qualifiers with 41 goals, after adding the second tally.

He moves further from rival Lionel Messi, who sits four goals behind, with Ali Daei (35) and Robert Lewandowski (33) in pursuit.

King of football

Ronaldo is a true football phenomenon, not only for his exceptional talent and decades-long peak but also for the sheer volume of records he has piled up with Portugal’s national team.

His achievements have etched his name deeply into the history of world football, reinforcing his status as one of the game’s greatest ever icons.

As the all-time leading scorer for national teams with 143 international goals, his influence spans World Cups, Euros, and beyond, shaping an era of European football.

He began his Portugal journey in 2003, and since then he has continuously shattered records, scoring in major tournaments from the World Cup to the European Championship and beyond.

He is also among the most-capped players in international football, with over 210 appearances for Portugal, reflecting two decades of dedication to his country.

His impact helped Portugal win Euro 2016 in France and the Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025, among other achievements.

His record includes prolific individual feats, such as multiple hat-tricks at the international level and a high tally of free-kick goals against national teams around the world.

Rock-solid consistency and a relentless will to win define Ronaldo’s international career, and he remains a driving force for Portugal into his late 30s and beyond.

His career is a testament to how far determination and talent can carry a player across generations.

Standing up to criticism

Despite his legendary status, Ronaldo has faced occasional criticism and calls for retirement as he ages, with some pundits arguing the twilight period could tarnish his glittering legacy.

On several occasions, the debate has been public—whether his numbers dip in big games or moments of frustration on the pitch—and some argue that his legacy is complete and every extra minute could risk tarnishing the image.

Yet, as always, the forward answered on the field with goals, performance, and passion for both club and country.

New accolade

The Portuguese star collected a new prize last week: the Globe Prestige Award, awarded during a break with the national team.

It is one of the prestigious honours established by the Portuguese Football Federation to recognize icons in Portuguese football, and Ronaldo secured it for the first time.

Family challenge

Ronaldo spoke to reporters after receiving the award, highlighting a challenge with his family: “My family tells me it’s time to stop playing.”

He added: “They always ask me, why chase a thousand goals when you’ve already scored 900?”

He continued: “It’s not that simple, but I still feel I can perform at a high level for both club and country, so why stop?”

He also remarked: “I will leave the game feeling proud after my retirement, having given my all.”

On the prize, he said: “I have many trophies at home, but this award is special. It made me wonder what ‘Prestige’ truly means. Is it a prize near the end of the journey?”

He concluded: “There was some initial tension, but I told myself this isn’t the end. This prize represents great pride and is a natural continuation of everything I’ve achieved.”

Punchline 1: Ronaldo scores so often the net needs a frequent-flyer program.

Punchline 2: If goals were money, Ronaldo would be the central bank—always printing thousands of chances and cashing in every time.