Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Elite Club of Players with Six FIFA World Cup Appearances

Cristiano Ronaldo has made history by becoming the second male player to participate in six FIFA World Cups, joining Lionel Messi in this elite group. His latest appearance came during Portugal's match against DR Congo in the 2026 tournament. Despite this milestone, Portugal faced a tough start, drawing 1-1. Both Ronaldo and Messi now wear a special badge recognizing their remarkable achievements. This article explores their incredible journeys and the significance of their records in the world of football.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 18, 2026, 04:41 IST

Ronaldo Achieves Historic Milestone

In Texas, USA, on June 18, Portugal's captain Cristiano Ronaldo has made history by becoming only the second male player ever to participate in six FIFA World Cups. He joins Argentina's Lionel Messi in this prestigious group during Portugal's match against DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This latest appearance adds to Ronaldo's remarkable international career, showcasing his incredible ability to compete at the highest level of football for an extended period.

History makers

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only players in history to have played at six @FIFAWorldCup tournaments pic.twitter.com/umtkqqks3x

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 17, 2026

Despite Ronaldo's achievement, Portugal faced a challenging start to their World Cup journey, settling for a 1-1 draw against a determined DR Congo team.

Earlier, Lionel Messi made headlines by becoming the first male player to play in six FIFA World Cups, accomplishing this during Argentina's 3-0 victory over Algeria, where he also netted a hat-trick.

With Ronaldo now alongside Messi, these two football legends are the only players to have participated in six World Cup tournaments, highlighting their remarkable consistency and excellence over two decades.

During the 2026 World Cup, both Messi and Ronaldo sported a special "Legacy" sleeve badge, a new recognition introduced by FIFA for players who have appeared in five or more World Cups.

Messi, a key player in Argentina's recent football achievements, and Ronaldo, who has been a stalwart for Portugal, continue to make their mark in this year's tournament, both making their sixth World Cup appearances.

Messi's journey includes six World Cup editions: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026, showcasing his enduring presence in international football, as reported by ESPN.

Ronaldo's World Cup journey began in 2006 in Germany, followed by appearances in 2010 (South Africa), 2014 (Brazil), 2018 (Russia), 2022 (Qatar), and now 2026 (North America), consistently representing Portugal at the highest level for two decades.