Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Lionel Messi’s Record in World Cup Qualifiers

Sports Sep 7, 2025 0 Add to Reading List

Cristiano Ronaldo has overtaken Lionel Messi in the World Cup qualifying goal charts after scoring twice in Portugal’s 5–0 victory over Armenia on September 6, 2025. The 40-year-old forward struck in the 21st minute and added a spectacular volley early in the second half, lifting his tally to 38 goals in 48 qualifiers.

With this, Ronaldo moved ahead of Messi, who has 36 goals in 72 appearances, and now sits just one behind all-time leader Carlos Ruiz (39). The win also marked Portugal’s emotional first match since the passing of Diogo Jota, with Ronaldo’s opening goal seen as symbolic.

Portugal’s other goals came from João Félix and João Cancelo, underlining a dominant start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Ronaldo, already the world’s leading international scorer with 140 goals for Portugal, could equal or surpass Ruiz’s record in the next qualifier against Hungary on September 9.