Cristiano Ronaldo he added another remarkable chapter to his glittering career by becoming the oldest goalscorer in the world. FIFA World Cup Knockout stage history as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic last-32 clash on Thursday.At 41 years and 147 days old, the Portugal captain converted a second-half penalty to rewrite the record books, surpassing Lionel Messi as the oldest player to score in the knockout rounds of the World Cup. It was too RonaldoThe first goal in the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup, making the milestone even more significant.Portugal sealed progression to the Round of 16 despite a tense finish that included a disallowed Croatian goal.Ronaldo also became the second-oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history overall. Only Cameroonian legend Roger Milla, who scored at 42 years and 39 days during the 1994 tournament, remains ahead of the Portuguese icon on the all-time list.
Ronaldo rewrites the World Cup record books
Ronaldo’s historic strike was another reminder of his extraordinary longevity at the highest level. Already the oldest player to feature for Portugal in a World Cup, he now holds the record for the oldest player ever to score in a men’s FIFA World Cup knockout match.The match also marked Ronaldo’s 26th appearance at the World Cup, taking him past numerous legendary names and leaving him just one behind Germany great Lothar Matthäus (27) on the all-time list. Argentina captain Lionel Messi holds the record with 29 World Cup matches.The 41-year-old’s latest heroics come amid continued speculation that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the final international tournament of his storied career. Although retirement rumors continue to swirl, Ronaldo remains under contract with Al Nassr until the 2026-27 season.
Oldest outfield player to start a World Cup knockout match
Ronaldo’s inclusion in Portugal’s starting eleven also saw him set another benchmark before a ball had even been kicked.At 41 years and 147 days, he became the oldest outfield player to ever start a men’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match, surpassing the mark set a day earlier by Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko, who started against the United States at 40 years and 106 days.Captain of Croatia Luka Modricaged 40 years and 296 days, he also presented from the beginning, making the first match of the men’s FIFA World Cup to see two field players over 40 years old on opposite sides.The updated list of oldest players on the pitch to start a men’s World Cup knockout match now reads:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (
Portugal vs Croatia ) – 41 years, 147 days - Luka Modric (Croatia vs Portugal) – 40 years, 296 days
- Edin Dzeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina vs USA) – 40 years, 106 days