Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to defy age and expectations at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Despite being 39 and 41, respectively, the two football icons have once again rewritten the record books, proving they remain among the game's biggest stars on the sport's grandest stage.
Messi has enjoyed a sensational start to the tournament, while Ronaldo responded in style after facing criticism following Portugal's opening game. Together, the duo has added several remarkable milestones to their already unmatched careers.
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Messi becomes World Cup's all-time leading scorer
The Argentina captain has been in devastating form in the tournament. After scoring a hat-trick in his side's opening match against Algeria, Messi followed it up with a brace against Austria.
Those goals took his overall World Cup tally to 18, making him the outright leading goalscorer in the competition's history. The achievement further strengthened his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever grace the tournament.
Lionel Messi's exploits have also placed him among a rare group of players who hold the distinction of being both their country's youngest and oldest World Cup goalscorer. The veteran forward has now spanned two decades of goals at football's biggest event, underlining his incredible longevity.
With Argentina progressing smoothly through the competition, Messi could yet extend his record before the tournament concludes.
Ronaldo scripts history with six World Cup scoring streak
Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics emphatically during Portugal's clash against Uzbekistan. The veteran striker scored twice as Portugal secured a dominant victory, ending an 11-match World Cup goal drought in the process.
More importantly, the brace allowed Ronaldo to become the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cups. He found the net in the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026 editions, a feat unmatched by any other player.
The Portuguese star also became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history at 41 years and 138 days. Only Cameroon's Roger Milla scored at an older age during the tournament.
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Like Messi, Ronaldo now holds the unique distinction of being both Portugal's youngest and oldest World Cup goalscorer. Remarkably, both legends scored their first and latest World Cup goals nearly 20 years apart.
As the tournament progresses, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to add fresh chapters to one of football's greatest rivalries. Long after many expected them to fade away, the two superstars remain at the center of the World Cup spotlight.