Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name deeper into football history, becoming the joint all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar scored his 39th goal during a 3-2 victory over Hungary in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, putting him level with Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz.
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The historic goal came from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, a crucial equaliser in the match played in Budapest. The strike also placed Ronaldo three goals ahead of his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, who has 36 goals in World Cup qualifiers.
At 40, Ronaldo continues to defy age, pulling three goals clear of long-time rival Lionel Messi, who has 36 in the same competition. Social media buzzed with tributes as fans and pundits once again drew comparisons between the two icons.
The record-breaking strike came on a night when Barnabas Varga twice put Hungary ahead, only for Portugal to rally through Bernardo Silva and João Cancelo, with Ronaldo’s penalty proving the pivotal moment.
The win maintained Portugal’s perfect start to their World Cup qualifying campaign under Roberto Martinez, leaving them top of Group F with six points from two games.
For Ronaldo, the achievement is yet another reminder of his enduring brilliance.
Having already set records as international football’s all-time top scorer, he now stands alone as the most prolific player in World Cup qualifying history, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greatest finishers.
