Cristiano Ronaldo Sets Record as Oldest Outfield Player in FIFA World Cup History

Cristiano Ronaldo has made history by becoming the oldest outfield player to start a FIFA World Cup match at 41 years and 132 days. This milestone was achieved during Portugal's opening match against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite his record-setting appearance, Ronaldo struggled to make an impact, raising concerns about his form as he has not scored in his last ten major tournament matches. The match saw Portugal take an early lead, only to be equalized by DR Congo just before halftime. As Ronaldo continues to represent Portugal in his sixth World Cup, fans are left wondering about his future performance on the global stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 18, 2026, 06:40 IST

Ronaldo Achieves Historic Milestone

In a remarkable achievement, Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal, has made history by becoming the oldest outfield player to start a match in FIFA World Cup history at the age of 41 years and 132 days. This milestone was reached during Portugal's match against DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Ronaldo surpassed the previous record held by Canada's Atiba Hutchinson, who started a World Cup match at 39 years and 296 days against Croatia in the 2022 tournament, as reported by a sports analytics platform.

This latest accomplishment underscores Ronaldo's incredible longevity and his sustained presence in international football at the highest level.

A Historic Participation

Additionally, Ronaldo has become only the second male player to participate in six FIFA World Cups, joining the ranks of Argentina's Lionel Messi. His World Cup journey began in 2006 in Germany, followed by appearances in South Africa (2010), Brazil (2014), Russia (2018), Qatar (2022), and now North America (2026), showcasing his commitment to representing Portugal over two decades.

Match Overview: Portugal vs. DR Congo

In their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Portugal faced a challenging encounter, ending in a 1-1 draw against DR Congo. Ronaldo struggled to make a significant impact, finishing the match with only 25 touches, three shot attempts that missed the target, and winning just one duel, indicating the effectiveness of the DR Congo defense, according to ESPN FC.

This match marked one of the lowest involvement games in Ronaldo's World Cup career, with the second-fewest touches recorded in a World Cup start, reflecting his limited influence on Portugal's attacking efforts.

Concerns Over Form

The match added to concerns regarding Ronaldo's form in major tournaments, as he has now gone 10 consecutive matches without scoring in significant competitions, a streak that continues despite his extensive experience and global status.

Portugal initially took the lead in the sixth minute with a goal from Joao Neves, who scored with a powerful header from a cross by Pedro Neto. However, they lost momentum after the early goal, struggling to create chances while DR Congo posed a threat on the counterattack.

DR Congo's Resilience

DR Congo equalized just before halftime when Yoane Wissa headed in a cross from Arthur Masuaku. Portugal thought they had regained the lead early in the second half with a goal from Joao Cancelo, but it was disallowed for offside. DR Congo nearly took the lead when Cedric Bakambu hit the post after a strong challenge against Bruno Fernandes.

Late in the game, substitute Francisco Conceicao injected some energy into Portugal's attack, creating opportunities for Ronaldo, but the veteran striker was unable to convert. Despite late pressure, Portugal could not secure a win, allowing DR Congo to celebrate a memorable point in their first World Cup appearance since 1974.