This piece surveys the milestones and achievements of the Portuguese forward with his national team, tracing a storied career through World Cup campaigns.
Cristiano Ronaldo sits among football’s all-time greats, a player whose trophy cabinet glitters with titles and records. Yet the global stage of the World Cup remains a coveted prize on his quest to reach football’s podium, complementing Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph and the 2018 UEFA Nations League title.
At Euro 2021, Ronaldo etched his name in history by matching Ali Daei as the all-time top scorer for a national team, a landmark that underscored his enduring impact on the international game.
In Goal, his career figures are evaluated across the World Cup chapters below, updated through October 13, 2023, during the Portugal vs. Slovakia match.
STEP THROUGH THE WORLD CUP
GERMANY 2006
- At 21, Ronaldo was already a standout at Manchester United and began his World Cup journey in earnest with Portugal.
- He featured in six of seven matches, all as a starter, contributing from start to finish in Portugal’s campaign.
- His first World Cup goal came from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win over Iran during Group D in his second match.
- In his World Cup debut versus Angola, he received a yellow card after 26 minutes in a 1-0 win, signaling the start of a fiercely competitive phase for the young star.
SOUTH AFRICA 2010
- Ronaldo appeared in all four of Portugal’s matches, again starting every fixture.
- He marked the group stage with a memorable goal during a 7-0 victory over North Korea, showcasing his initiative and finishing prowess.
- Like 2006, he picked up a yellow card in the opening group game after a 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast, underscoring his combative style.
- That tournament also saw Ronaldo step into the captaincy role, guiding the team with leadership and intensity.
BRAZIL 2014
- Portugal faced a difficult campaign, exiting the tournament in the group stage, a stark contrast to the team’s earlier promise.
- In the third match against Ghana, Ronaldo netted his third World Cup goal, briefly restoring momentum and giving Portugal late optimism.
- Portugal finished level on points with the United States in Group G but were eliminated on goal difference, despite Ronaldo finishing as the team’s top scorer in the competition.
- The 2014 World Cup is often viewed as a setback in Ronaldo’s otherwise flourishing career, fueling a renewed drive toward redemption in subsequent editions.
RUSSIA 2018
- Ronaldo began Russia 2018 with a striking performance against Spain, converting a penalty and later delivering a long-range strike to continue his scoring run, and then completing his first World Cup hat-trick with a spectacular free-kick finish.
- Against Morocco, he required only four minutes to open the scoring, delivering an early breakthrough for his nation.
- In the clash with Iran, he converted from the spot to extend the tally, although a missed opportunity from a late penalty added complexity to the matchups.
- The round of 16 produced a 2-1 loss to Uruguay, with Ronaldo unable to add to his goal contributions in that knockout appearance.
QATAR 2022
- The campaign opened with a strong showing: Ronaldo started, scored, and Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 to set a positive tone.
- The second match featured him again in the starting lineup, contributing to a 2-0 victory over Uruguay.
- In the third group match, Portugal faced a setback with a defeat to South Korea, and Ronaldo’s role remained pivotal as a captain and scorer.
- Portugal advanced to the knockout stages with Ronaldo initially on the bench in the round of 16, but he returned to influence proceedings as Portugal defeated Switzerland 6-1 in a decisive win.
- In the quarter-finals, Portugal were eliminated by Morocco after Ronaldo was brought on as a substitute to bolster the attack late in the game.
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