Cristiano Ronaldo added yet another remarkable chapter to his glittering career by becoming the oldest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup knockout-stage history as Portugal edged Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic Round of 32 clash on Thursday.At 41 years and 147 days old, the Portugal captain converted a second-half penalty to rewrite the record books, surpassing Lionel Messi as the oldest player to score in the World Cup knockout rounds. It was also Ronaldo‘s first-ever goal in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, making the milestone even more significant. Portugal sealed progression to Round of 16 despite a tense finish that included a disallowed Croatian goal.Ronaldo also became the second-oldest goalscorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup overall. Only Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who scored at 42 years and 39 days during the 1994 tournament, remains ahead of the Portuguese icon on the all-time list.
Ronaldo rewrites World Cup record books
Ronaldo’s historic strike was another reminder of his extraordinary longevity at the highest level. Already the oldest player to feature for Portugal at a World Cup, he now owns the record for the oldest player ever to score in a men’s FIFA World Cup knockout match.The match also marked Ronaldo’s 26th World Cup appearance, taking him past numerous legendary names and leaving him just one behind Germany great Lothar Matthäus (27) on the all-time appearance list. Argentina captain Lionel Messi remains the record-holder with 29 World Cup matches.The 41-year-old’s latest heroics come amid continued speculation that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the final international tournament of his storied career. Although retirement rumours continue to swirl, Ronaldo remains under contract with Al Nassr through the 2026-27 season.
Oldest outfield player to start a World Cup knockout match
Ronaldo’s inclusion in Portugal’s starting XI also saw him set another landmark before a ball was even kicked.At 41 years and 147 days, he became the oldest outfield player ever to start a men’s FIFA World Cup knockout match, overtaking the mark set just a day earlier by Bosnia and Herzegovina captain Edin Dzeko, who started against the United States at 40 years and 106 days.Croatia captain Luka Modric, aged 40 years and 296 days, also featured from the start, making it the first men’s FIFA World Cup match to feature two outfield players over the age of 40 on opposing sides.The updated list of the oldest outfield players to start a men’s World Cup knockout match now reads:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal vs Croatia) – 41 years, 147 days
- Luka Modric (Croatia vs Portugal) – 40 years, 296 days
- Edin Dzeko (Bosnia and Herzegovina vs USA) – 40 years, 106 days
