Cristiano Ronaldo becomes Portugal's all-time top scorer at World Cups
By scoring a brace against Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed Eusebio's record for Portugal in the tournament.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: YantsImages
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially become Portugal's all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history. During the 2026 World Cup group stage match against Uzbekistan, the 41-year-old forward netted twice, bringing his total tally in the tournament to nine goals.
This achievement allows the legendary Portuguese captain to surpass Eusebio. The 'Black Panther' had held the national record since 1966, when he set the benchmark of nine goals in a single tournament. Ronaldo has reached this milestone over the course of six World Cup appearances, dating back to 2006.
For Ronaldo, this tournament marks his sixth appearance, a record he shares with Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa. Despite his advanced age, the forward continues to demonstrate his clinical finishing ability inside the penalty area.
Ronaldo was previously close to this record during the 2022 World Cup, but ball-tracking technology ultimately credited a goal against Uruguay to Bruno Fernandes. This time, there was no room for doubt as he cemented his place at the top of Portuguese football history.