Cristiano Ronaldo continues to rewrite the football history books at the 2026 World Cup, achieving yet another monumental milestone during Portugal’s Round of 32 match against Croatia.
Already the first player in football history to feature and score in six different World Cup tournaments, the Al-Nassr superstar has added another historic record to his legendary career.
The Oldest Outfield Player in World Cup Knockout History
At 41 years old, Ronaldo has officially become the first outfield player in World Cup history to feature in a knockout stage match after turning 41. Overall, he stands as the second-oldest outfield player to ever play in the tournament, trailing only Cameroon’s legendary Roger Milla.
Ronaldo dreams of concluding his illustrious career with the ultimate prize—the World Cup trophy—to add to his major international silverware with Portugal, which includes Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League.
Road to the Round of 16 Against Spain
The Portuguese captain featured in all three group-stage matches, netting two goals against Uzbekistan to bring his all-time World Cup goal tally to 11.
Portugal qualified for the knockout stages as runners-up in a group that featured Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo. They now face a challenging path forward, starting with Croatia, with a highly anticipated Round of 16 blockbuster against Spain awaiting the winner.
