Cristiano Ronaldo may have scored at a record sixth FIFA World Cup, but there is one piece of history that still eludes both him and Lionel Messi, who celebrated his 39th birthday on Wednesday.
When Ronaldo found the net against Uzbekistan in Portugal’s second group-stage match, he became the second-oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, scoring at the age of 41 years and 138 days.
However, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star still trails Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who remains the oldest goalscorer in the tournament’s history.
Milla first appeared at the World Cup finals in Spain in 1982, but he rose to global fame at the age of 38 after scoring four goals as the Indomitable Lions reached the quarter-finals at Italy 1990—becoming the first African team to reach that stage. He celebrated his goals with his iconic dance at the corner flag, a celebration that became his trademark.
Four years later, Milla was back on the scoresheet at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, scoring from close range against Russia. His famous corner-flag celebration returned, although Cameroon lost the match 6-1 and were eliminated in the group stage.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo can take pride in having pushed Lionel Messi from third to fourth place on the all-time list after the Argentine forward scored at the age of 38 years and 363 days in his team’s victory over Austria.
Messi could also be overtaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Edin Džeko or Croatia midfielder Luka Modrić, both aged 40, if either of them scores during the tournament.
Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo is also nine months older than the Argentine star, although he has yet to get on the scoresheet.Or could a veteran goalkeeper emerge as the unexpected hero?
Six players at this tournament are older than Lionel Messi, including Germany’s Manuel Neuer, Cape Verde’s Vozinha, and Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera. However, no goalkeeper has ever scored a goal in any of the 22 FIFA World Cups held since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
Austria forward Marko Arnautović, 37, has moved into the tournament’s top 10 oldest goalscorers after converting a late penalty in his side’s victory over Jordan.
Even so, Roger Milla’s record appears likely to stand for some time—unless, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi decide to continue playing until the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will feature matches in both Portugal and Argentina, giving the two legends the opportunity to compete on home soil.
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