Cristiano Ronaldo sets a record in the World Cup qualifiers

Portuguese star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo made history by being in the starting 11 in the qualifying round match against Croatia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo, who took to the field at age 41 years and 147 days, earned the title of the oldest footballer to play in the World Cup qualifiers. This significant match marked Ronaldo's 26th World Cup match in his career, placing him second in this area behind former German player Lothar Matthäus. The title of the player with the most appearances in the tournament is held by Argentine Lionel Messi with 29 matches. Ronaldo, who holds the all-time goal record in the national teams category, has not yet achieved success in finding the net in qualifiers during his career.

Although he failed to score in the qualifiers, Ronaldo's performance in this round is full of striking statistics. Since 1966, having taken a total of 29 shots in 8 matches in the qualifiers places him fourth in this field. However, despite this statistical superiority, Portugal has only one victory in the qualifiers since the tournament where they finished fourth in 2006. The experienced forward plans to end his national team career after the 2026 World Cup, and widespread rumors suggest this will be his last tournament. Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia continues until the 2026-27 season.

In this match, not only Ronaldo, but also the opposing team's star displayed a historic performance. Croatia's captain and the other big name in world football, Luka Modrić, took his place on the field at age 40 years and 296 days. The high performance he showed despite this age added a competitive dimension to the match. The confrontation of two legendary players on the same field, both over the age of 40, went down in history as a first.

The encounter attracted attention not only as a sports competition but also with its potential to turn into a farewell show for football's two aging stars. The presence of world-famous names like Ronaldo and Modrić on the field at the same time created nostalgic and unforgettable moments for football fans. Both players assumed critical roles that could affect the fate of their teams and made their presence felt on the field despite their physical ages. This struggle between Portugal and Croatia became a scene for a race of personal achievements and legends, beyond technical tactics.

Looking at the general picture, this match of the 2026 World Cup stands out as one of the historical moments to be told to future generations. Ronaldo's records, Modrić's leadership, and the presence of both players at the peak of football are among the factors shaping the course of the tournament. This encounter in the qualifiers serves as an inspiration to young footballers, while also keeping the possibility of Ronaldo's career ending on the agenda. Whether Portugal will pass the round and whether their star will score remains one of the biggest curiosities of the tournament.