Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to set multiple World Cup records this year in what will be his last participation in the tournament.
The Portugal captain has already endured a turbulent month after ending his relationship with Manchester United by mutual consent this week, following his decision to conduct a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan. He will become the first player since 2010 to play in the World Cup as a free agent.
There will continue to be an intense focus on his future on a domestic level, with Real Madrid ruling out a return for their club-record goalscorer. His mother's club Sporting Lisbon have also distanced themselves from making a move while Bayern Munich poured cold water on speculation.
Ronaldo is already Portugal's record scorer with 117 goals and he will be hopeful of adding to his tally in this tournament. However, he is also aiming to become the player to score in the most World Cups. Ronaldo has already netted in the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 editions – and if he scores in a fifth tournament, it would pull him one clear of Pele, Uwe Seeler, Klose and Lionel Messi.
The 37-year-old will also equal the record to play in the most World Cups with this being his fifth edition. Only four other players, including Messi, have played in that many tournaments – with neither of the superstars likely to still be involved in 2026.
One record that Ronaldo will not be able to equal is the most games ever played in World Cups. Former Germany international Lothar Matthaus currently holds that record with 25, with Messi starting this tournament on 19 and Ronaldo on 17. With a maximum of seven per player this tournament – Messi can surpass that record but Ronaldo would, at best, fall just short of equalling it.
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However, Ronaldo – who could finish this tournament having played 24 matches in the World Cup, would set a record for the Portuguese footballer to play the most World Cup games and having already scored seven goals in the tournament, would set a World Cup record for a Portuguese player with the most goals.
The 37-year-old could feasibly become the World Cup's record goal scorer too but would need to enjoy a sensational tournament to haul in current record holder Miroslav Klose's tally of 16. Ronaldo would need to score nine goals in a maximum of seven matches to draw level with the former Germany international.
