Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Portugal as they begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday, stepping into the tournament already overshadowed—at least statistically—by Lionel Messi’s latest milestone.
The Argentina captain delivered a statement performance in their opener, scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria to fire the reigning champions off to a flying start in their title defence.
The feat marked Messi’s first World Cup hat-trick and also saw him become the oldest player in tournament history to achieve the milestone, further deepening the long-running comparison between the two football icons.
Ronaldo, now 41, is preparing for what could be his final World Cup appearance and his fifth tournament overall. He will be hoping to answer back on the pitch when Portugal take on DR Congo in their opening Group stage fixture.
The Portuguese forward still holds a notable piece of history himself, having scored a hat-trick against Spain in 2018 at 33 years and 122 days old. That record stood until Messi’s latest performance broke it.
Despite the personal rivalry narratives that continue to follow both players, Ronaldo’s focus will be firmly on leading Portugal’s charge for their first World Cup title. His experience remains central to a squad still built around his leadership and finishing ability.
Now playing in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, Ronaldo continues to defy expectations at an age where most players have long retired, and this tournament may offer one final chance to define his international legacy.
As the World Cup unfolds, the Messi–Ronaldo storyline remains unavoidable—but for Ronaldo, the immediate task is simple: deliver when Portugal need him most.
