Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is in the starting lineup for Portugal’s opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday against DR Congo in Group K action.
This will be a record-tying sixth World Cup appearance for the 41-year-old captain, tying Argentina great Lionel Messi, who accomplished the feat by scoring a hat trick Tuesday night against Algeria.
Ronaldo’s 143 international goals, eight of which have come at the World Cup, are the most in men’s soccer history. He scored once at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as Portugal made the quarter-final where they fell to Morocco.
When it comes to club soccer, Ronaldo is no longer competing in the top leagues in the world, but still has a scoring touch with 129 goals over four seasons with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
This will be Portugal’s seventh straight appearance at the World Cup.
