Cristiano Ronaldo Surpasses Messi in World Cup Qualifying Goals, Closes in on All-Time Record
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again etched his name deeper into football history, surpassing Lionel Messi in another remarkable goal-scoring milestone. During Portugal’s dominant 5-0 victory over Armenia in a World Cup qualifying match, Ronaldo found the back of the net twice, bringing his total World Cup qualifying goals to 38. This tally puts him ahead of Messi, who has scored 36 goals in World Cup qualifiers, and just one goal behind the all-time record of 39 held by Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala.
The 40-year-old forward continues to defy age and expectations, proving once more why he remains a formidable force in international football. With these latest goals, Ronaldo not only took a step closer to becoming the highest scorer in World Cup qualifying history but also extended his overall international goal tally to 140 in 222 appearances for Portugal—an astonishing feat that further cements his status as the nation’s all-time leading scorer.
Ronaldo’s performance was a highlight in a match where Portugal dominated from start to finish. His leadership and hunger for goals have become synonymous with the national team’s success, and even at an age where most players have retired, he continues to set records and raise the bar. In contrast, Messi’s international future remains uncertain. The Argentine captain has hinted that the 2026 World Cup may not be in his plans, suggesting that his recent appearances could be his last on the world stage.
As the rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi enters its twilight years, moments like these continue to spark debates among fans and pundits alike. While both legends have shattered records and defined an era of football, Ronaldo’s latest achievement is a reminder that his relentless pursuit of greatness shows no signs of slowing down.
Ronaldo Surpasses Messi in World Cup Qualifying Goals
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In Portugal’s emphatic 5‑0 win over Armenia during the World Cup qualifiers, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, pushing his total in qualifying matches to 38 goals. That moved him past Messi’s 36 goals in this category
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With that, Ronaldo now stands just one goal behind the all-time qualifying goals record held by Carlos Ruiz of Guatemala, who has 39
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That same match also saw him extend his Portugal international tally to 140 goals in 222 appearances, cementing his status as the nation’s all-time top scorer