Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to chasing records. Now, at 40, the Portuguese legend is aiming for another one as Portugal begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Ronaldo already holds the international goal-scoring record, but this time he is looking to stand alone as the top scorer in World Cup qualifiers.
The Al-Nassr striker currently has 36 goals in qualifiers. That number puts him level with Lionel Messi and just three short of Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala, who leads the list with 39.
Portugal’s opener against Armenia offers Ronaldo another chance to close that gap. And for fans who enjoy the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, it feels like extra time in a never-ending classic.
Portugal travel to Yerevan for the match on September 6, followed by a trip to Hungary three days later.
Roberto Martínez’s team enter as clear favorites in Group F, and Ronaldo will be at the center of their attack once again. His last meeting with Armenia was back in 2015, when he scored a hat trick in a 3-2 away win. History, it seems, could repeat itself.
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Another record in sight for Cristiano Ronaldo
Top 5 scorers in World Cup qualifiers:
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Ruiz | Guatemala | 39 |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | 36 |
| 2 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 36 |
| 4 | Ali Daei | Iran | 35 |
| 5 | Robert Lewandowski | Poland | 31 |
Ronaldo enters the match in form, with three goals already for Portugal in 2025, all coming in the Nations League. Messi, by comparison, has two from Argentina’s recent fixtures.
The rivalry continues, though Portugal fans might joke their captain is simply “Lisbon and not stopping.”
Portugal’s squad will miss Rafael Leao and Diogo Dalot through injury, but Bruno Fernandes returns to lead the midfield.
Four Paris Saint-Germain players are also included, giving Martínez options in attack and defense. Still, everything points back to Ronaldo, who shows no signs of slowing down.
Portugal’s road to the 2026 World Cup begins now, and so does Ronaldo’s latest chase for history. Whether in Yerevan or Lisbon, the football world will be watching.
Cristiano Ronaldo news and related links
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