Updated: 27 September 2022
Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo will be one of the biggest names to feature in the 2022 FIFA World Cup (Qatar) alongside Lionel Messi. The two GOATs of football have made it a habit to break records every single day and it is nothing new for them. Well, Cristiano Ronaldo has a better track record than his arch-rival as far as the overall National tally is concerned.
Although Lionel Messi has usually outperformed him as far as individual performance in big events is concerned, Cristiano Ronaldo will still definitely be one of the key players to watch out for in the 2022 World Cup as well.
The Portuguese forward already has a load of World records to his name and he is also, as we all know, the highest scorer in National and World football. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to break even more records in this edition of the FIFA World Cup. In this article, we thus talk about the number of records that Cristiano Ronaldo can break in the Qatar World Cup.
Also Read: Ronaldo vs Messi: Goals, Stats, Awards, Net Worth, Who Is The Best?
1. Highest Number of World Cups Played
Currently, Antonio Carbajal, Lothar Matthaüs, and Rafael Márquez hold the record for the highest number of FIFA World Cups played. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi both have played in 4 World Cups so far and this year they will equal the record in concern. Andres Guardado is another player who will join the elite group this year if he manages to play even one match in the World Cup.
2. Portuguese with the Most goals scored in World Cup
Currently, Portuguese legend Eusebio holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in the World Cups by a Portuguese player with 9 goals to his name. Cristiano Ronaldo who is on 7 goals in the FIFA World Cup, has a golden opportunity to finally break Eusebio’s age-old record to claim the first position on this list as well.
3. Portuguese with the Most Goals scored in a World Cup edition
Eusebio scored all his 9 goals in a single edition FIFA World Cup, i.e, FIFA World Cup 1966. To date, no other Portuguese player has been able to reach that tally. It will be interesting to see whether Cristiano Ronaldo can break that unachievable record. Out of all the other records on this list, this one seems the most far-fetched.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: All Teams List, Captain, And Coach
4. Portuguese with the Most Goals scored in a single World Cup match
Eusebio holds this record as well. He once scored 4 goals in the 1966 Quarter Final match against North Korea. Cristiano Ronaldo went very close last time as he scored a hattrick against Spain in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It is to see whether he can break or equal Eusebio’s record in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
5. Most games as captain in World Cups
Diego Armando Maradona holds this record currently with 16 matches in the World Cup as Argentina’s captain. Cristiano Ronaldo has played 11 matches so far in the World Cups as Portugal’s captain and he will need Portugal to reach at least the quarter-final to match Maradona’s record.
6. Portuguese Most assists in World Cup
Luis Figo might not have scored a single goal for Portugal in the World Cups but he has provided 5 assists for them which is the highest ever by any Portuguese player. Cristiano has 2 assists in FIFA World Cup and he has a chance to break this record this year.
7. Most booked played in World Cup
Javier Mascherano is the most booked player as of now in World Cup history. He has been booked 7 times in 20 appearances. If Cristiano Ronaldo gets booked 3 more times, he could match Mascherano.