Ronaldo Blanked in Portugal's 1-1 Draw Against Congo; 41-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Field Player to Start World Cup Match

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in Portugal's opening match of the World Cup, a 1-1 draw against Congo on June 17, 2026, marking his first goalless performance at the tournament. The 41-year-old Portuguese forward, making his sixth World Cup appearance, missed several clear opportunities to add to his legacy, firing shots wide in the 68th and 73rd minutes. The result stood in contrast to other global football stars who impressed in their opening matches, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior, Christian Pulisic, Viktor Gyökeres, and Harry Kane, all of whom found the net in their first matches of the tournament.

Ronaldo's blank performance highlighted the challenges facing the veteran striker at an advanced age. Congo midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau acknowledged the tactical difficulty of facing Ronaldo but noted that the aging forward was not the same player as in his prime, running and exerting himself less than before. Despite the missed chances, Ronaldo posted on social media following the match, stating: "It was not the beginning we wanted, but this is far from over. Head up and focus on the next match."

Portugal manager Roberto Martínez defended his decision to keep Ronaldo on the field, emphasizing the importance of his experience and ability to draw defenders despite the team's need for goals. Martínez stated that treating the forward differently because of his age was unnecessary, instead evaluating him based on how he feels physically. The manager indicated that Ronaldo's status for Portugal's upcoming matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Ronaldo's appearance marked his 229th international match, the most in men's football history. He became the oldest field player to start a World Cup match, surpassing Canada's Atiba Hutchinson's record from four years prior. While Cameroon's Roger Milla remains the oldest field player to appear in a World Cup match after entering as a substitute at age 42 in 1994, Ronaldo's milestone underscores the uniqueness of his longevity at the elite level. The draw was likely one of the final World Cup appearances for Ronaldo, who has won five Champions League titles with Manchester United and Real Madrid and currently plays for Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr.