Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks World Cup Record at 41 During Portugal's Draw with DR Congo
Ronaldo Achieves Historic World Cup Milestone
Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal, has made history by becoming the oldest outfield player to start a FIFA World Cup match at the age of 41 years and 132 days. This remarkable achievement occurred during Portugal's match against DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Wednesday (local time).
Previously, the record was held by Atiba Hutchinson of Canada, who started a World Cup match at 39 years and 296 days against Croatia in the 2022 tournament, as reported by FotMob. Ronaldo's inclusion in the starting lineup against DR Congo highlights his impressive longevity and sustained presence in international football.
Ronaldo Joins Elite Group of Players
In addition to this record, Ronaldo has become only the second male player to participate in six FIFA World Cups, joining Argentina's Lionel Messi. His 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), showcasing his consistent representation of Portugal over two decades.
Portugal's Challenging Opener Against 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, attempting three shots without success, and winning just one duel, indicating how well the DR Congo defense managed to contain him, according to ESPN FC's X handle.
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.
Match Summary: Portugal's Draw
Portugal's match ended in a 1-1 draw after Yoane Wissa equalized, canceling out Joao Neves' early goal. The Portuguese team started strong, taking the lead in the sixth minute when Pedro Neto's precise cross found João Neves, who scored with a powerful header, marking his fourth international goal.
However, after this early success, Portugal lost momentum, struggling to create chances while DR Congo posed a threat on counterattacks. Their persistence paid off in first-half stoppage time when Wissa scored from Arthur Masuaku's cross, leveling the score.
Portugal briefly thought they had regained the lead early in the second half with an acrobatic effort from João Cancelo, but it was ruled offside. DR Congo then came close to scoring again, with Cedric Bakambu hitting the post after a strong challenge against Bruno Fernandes.
Late substitute Francisco Conceicão injected some energy into the Portuguese side, 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 earn a memorable point in their first World Cup appearance since 1974.