Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Lionel Messi In Unique List, Becomes 3rd Player In The World To...

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 02:26 IST

Ronaldo is the third player to hold the unique distinction of being both the youngest and oldest scorer for their country at the men's FIFA World Cup:

Cristiano Ronaldo was on fire for Portugal in their second Group K match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. In the fixture played at NRG Stadium in Houston in front of 68,777 fans, the 41-year-old scored a brace to help Portugal register a commanding 5-0 victory. Ronaldo scored his first goal of this year’s FIFA World Cup in the sixth minute and added another in the 39th minute. By finding the back of the net against Uzbekistan, Ronaldo surpassed Pepe to become Portugal’s oldest goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history.

Pepe was 39 years and 298 days old when he scored for Portugal against Switzerland at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, whereas Ronaldo was 41 years and 138 days old on June 23, 2026.

Oldest goal scorers for Portugal in FIFA World Cup

Interestingly, Ronaldo is also Portugal’s youngest goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history. He was 21 years and 132 days old when he scored his maiden World Cup goal in a group-stage match against Iran at Waldstadion in Frankfurt on June 17, 2006.

By becoming Portugal’s youngest as well as oldest goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history, Ronaldo has equalled Lionel Messi’s record. Messi, who is the highest goal-scorer in FIFA World Cup history, is also Argentina’s youngest and oldest goal-scorer in the tournament.

Messi was 18 years and 357 days old when he scored his first FIFA World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, while his most recent World Cup goal for Argentina came at the age of 38 years and 363 days.

Players who are youngest and oldest goal-scorers in FIFA World Cup for their country

Before Messi and Ronaldo, only one player had achieved the feat of being both the youngest and oldest goal-scorer for his country in FIFA World Cup history. That player was former Denmark star Michael Laudrup.

Laudrup was 21 years and 356 days old when he scored for Denmark in their 6-1 group-stage win over Uruguay at the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He scored his last World Cup goal at the age of 34 years and 12 days during the 1998 edition of the tournament.

About the Author

Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis. Based in Noida, he has reported extensively on the...Read More

News sports football Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Lionel Messi In Unique List, Becomes 3rd Player In The World To...

Read More