Cristiano Ronaldo has equalled an unwanted FIFA World Cup record following Portugal’s elimination from the 2026 edition. The 41-year-old jointly holds the record for most defeats by an individual player in FIFA World Cup history.
Portugal’s World Cup campaign came to a halt in the Round of 16 as they lost 1-0 Spain courtesy of a late Mikel Merino strike. Ronaldo, who played the entire game, couldn’t do much to help his team, as his hopes of winning the only major title missing from his cabinet were dashed.
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With 27 matches played across six FIFA World Cup editions, Ronaldo is second on the list of players with the most appearances at the quadrennial tournament. Following the loss to Spain, the Al-Nassr superstar joined the list of players with the most defeats at the World Cup, with eight losses.
He shares the record jointly with Matthew Leckie (Australia), Hong Myung-bo and Son and Heung-min (South Korea), and Antonio Carbajal (Mexico).
In addition, he recorded 12 wins and seven draws, scoring 11 goals and creating two assists in the process. Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to score in six World Cup editions and the second-oldest goalscorer in the competitions history (41 years, 147 days).
He has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last, but has not officially announced his retirement from international football.
Cristiano Ronaldo compares winning the European Championship to winning the FIFA World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted that to him, winning the 2016 Euros is the same as winning the FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese superstar said he is satisfied with his achievement with the national team and is looking forward to the future.
“I’ve won three titles for Portugal. Before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal did not win a single title in history. The best title i have won with Portugal is the Euros in 2016. Honestly, for me, Euro 2016 is worth like winning a World Cup,” Ronaldo said (via Fabrizio Romano on X).
“Again, I leave with clear conscience and giving my best to Portugal. Tomorrow will be a new day, and life will go on,” he added.
Ronaldo notably guided A Selecao to the European Championship in 2016, scoring three goals and three assists. It was his first major trophy on the international stage. He also won the UEFA Nations League twice.
Edited by Okenna Okere
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