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HOUSTON — Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo adds another milestone to his prolific career on Wednesday, June 17, when he joined Argentina's Lionel Messi as the only men to play in six World Cups – and becomes the oldest outfield player to start a match on soccer's biggest stage.
Ronaldo was in the starting lineup for Portugal's 2026 World Cup opener against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston, marking his 23rd all-time World Cup appearance across six editions of the tournament. Coming into this year's tournament, he's scored eight career World Cup goals with two assists.
Ronaldo, now 41 years old, made his World Cup debut for Portugal in 2006 and led the team to a fourth-place finish, the country's best performance since placing third in 1966. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo became the first man to score in five different World Cups. This summer, Messi joined him when he scored a hat trick for Argentina against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to the be the last for both the 41-year-old Ronaldo and Messi, who turns 39 on June 24. Messi and Argentina lifted the trophy in 2022, while Portugal has never won the World Cup.
Ronaldo and Messi have never played against each other at a World Cup, but in 2026 there's a chance they will finally battle head-to-head on the world's biggest stage. If Portugal and Argentina both win their groups and then win their Round of 32 and Round of 16 matches, we'll get Ronaldo vs. Messi in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Although there are a couple more complicated scenarios in which Portugal and Argentina could play each other in the round of 16 or in the World Cup final, a quarterfinal clash seems most likely.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristiano Ronaldo age makes World Cup history in 2026
Continue reading...
HOUSTON — Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo adds another milestone to his prolific career on Wednesday, June 17, when he joined Argentina's Lionel Messi as the only men to play in six World Cups – and becomes the oldest outfield player to start a match on soccer's biggest stage.
Ronaldo was in the starting lineup for Portugal's 2026 World Cup opener against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston, marking his 23rd all-time World Cup appearance across six editions of the tournament. Coming into this year's tournament, he's scored eight career World Cup goals with two assists.
Ronaldo, now 41 years old, made his World Cup debut for Portugal in 2006 and led the team to a fourth-place finish, the country's best performance since placing third in 1966. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo became the first man to score in five different World Cups. This summer, Messi joined him when he scored a hat trick for Argentina against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to the be the last for both the 41-year-old Ronaldo and Messi, who turns 39 on June 24. Messi and Argentina lifted the trophy in 2022, while Portugal has never won the World Cup.
Could Messi and Ronaldo play in World Cup?
Ronaldo and Messi have never played against each other at a World Cup, but in 2026 there's a chance they will finally battle head-to-head on the world's biggest stage. If Portugal and Argentina both win their groups and then win their Round of 32 and Round of 16 matches, we'll get Ronaldo vs. Messi in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Although there are a couple more complicated scenarios in which Portugal and Argentina could play each other in the round of 16 or in the World Cup final, a quarterfinal clash seems most likely.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristiano Ronaldo age makes World Cup history in 2026
Continue reading...
