Cristiano Ronaldo has begun his campaign to appear in a record-breaking sixth World Cup, demonstrating his enduring ambition and motivation. The Portuguese star marked the start of Portugal's World Cup qualifying campaign with two goals in a 5-0 victory against Armenia. These goals extended his record as the highest scorer in men's international football to 140.

The match against Armenia on Saturday, September 6, 2025, was particularly poignant for the Portuguese team, as it was their first international game since the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in July.

At 40 years old, Ronaldo recently signed a new contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and led Portugal to victory at the UEFA Nations League last summer. The World Cup is the only major trophy that has eluded him, a fact that places him behind his great rival Lionel Messi, who won the coveted prize with Argentina in 2022. The next World Cup in 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, may be Ronaldo's last chance to win it.

If Ronaldo competes in the 2026 World Cup, he would set a historic benchmark as the player with the most appearances in the tournament. Several players have appeared in five World Cups, but he and Messi would be the first to play in six.

Portugal's coach, Roberto Martinez, has successfully integrated young players into the national team, combining them with experienced veterans like Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo, and Bruno Fernandes. This blend of youth and experience has made Portugal one of the strongest teams in UEFA. They have also adopted an attacking style of play that enhances Ronaldo's goal-scoring ability.