World Cup 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as the first player to score in six different World Cups

Cristiano opened the scoring for Portugal after just five minutes against Uzbekistan. He has scored in the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions.

Cristiano opened the scoring for Portugal after just five minutes against Uzbekistan. He has scored in the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 editions.
Pedro Nunes

Cristiano Ronaldo has done it again. With his goals against Uzbekistan this evening, he became the first player in history to score in six different World Cups, a milestone that cements his place among the sport’s all‑time greats.

Even as criticism has followed the Madeira‑born superstar throughout this tournament, his opening goal already guaranteed his spot in the record books as the only player to find the net in six separate editions. He surpasses Lionel Messi who has achieved the feat in five different editions.

Goalscorers at multiple World Cups

6 Cristiano Ronaldo (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)

5 Lionel Messi (2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)

4 Uwe Seeler (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970)

4 Pelé (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970)

4 Miroslav Klose (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)

Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as the first player to score in six different World Cups
MARIA LYSAKER

The joy of six

Ronaldo’s World Cup love affair began back in 2006 in Germany, where he scored once. He repeated that single‑goal tally in South Africa in 2010 and again in Brazil in 2014. His best World Cup performance came at Russia 2018, when he struck four times. In Qatar, he added one more to his collection.

Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup goals

Germany 2006

  • 17 June: Iran 0-2 Portugal

South Africa 2010

  • 21 June: North Korea 0-7 Portugal

Brazil 2014

  • 26 June: Ghana 1-2 Portugal

Russia 2018

  • 15 June: Portugal 3-3 Spain
  • 20 June: Morocco 0-1 Portugal

Qatar 2022

  • 24 November: Ghana 2-3 Portugal

USA, Canada and Mexico 2026

  • 23 June: Uzbekistan 0-5 Portugal

Now 41 and still carrying the weight of his national team’s hopes, Ronaldo arrived in the United States, Mexico, and Canada determined to contribute once more. After a quiet opening match, he rediscovered his scoring touch in the second — a moment that set yet another record for a player whose career is already overflowing with them.

A legend in every sense of the word. A myth made real.

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