Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes First Man To Score In 5 World Cups

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male player to score in five World Cups after Portugal's opening game against Ghana on Thursday, Nov. 24.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, the Portugal captain, scored his 118th goal for his country in the 65th minute of the Portugal vs Ghana game from the penalty spot and created history by becoming the first male player ever to score in five World Cups. Portugal went on to win the game with a 3-2 goals score after goals from players Joao Felix and Rafael Leao as well, ESPN reported.

After scoring the goal, Ronaldo surpassed Pele (Brazil), Uwe Seeler (West Germany), and Miroslav Klose (Germany), who all scored at four World Cups. Brazilian striker Marta has scored at five World Cups. She accomplished the feat in 2019, and Christine Sinclair matched the feat that same year.

Ronaldo has made a record 18 appearances for Portugal at a World Cup. He reportedly made his Portugal debut in 2003. However, he scored his first goal only 10 months later during a Euro 2004 group-stage game against Greece.

Ronaldo's first World Cup goal was in 2006 and was from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win over Iran. However, his next World Cup goal came four years later in South Africa in a 7-0 rout of North Korea. Ronaldo also scored in Portugal's 2-1 win over Ghana in the 2014 World Cup. However, despite his goal, Portugal faced disappointment as they were eliminated in the group stage, the Athletic reported.

Ronaldo's most successful World Cup campaign was in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In the 2018 World Cup, he scored four goals, including a hat trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain. In the 3-3 draw with Spain, the last of those goals came in the 88th minute, a 25-yard free-kick that flew into the top left corner past United teammate David de Gea.

Meanwhile, Portugal's best performance with Ronaldo was in the 2006 World Cup, when the team finished fourth in the ranking.

After scoring in the game against Ghana on Thursday, Ronaldo reached his eighth goal at a World Cup. He is just one strike from equalling the country's record in the competition, set by Portugal legend Eusebio. Eusebio finished as the top scorer with nine goals in the 1966 World Cup in London and helped Portugal reach third place in the tournament.