Cristiano Ronaldo has etched his name in the record books and become the second player to join an exclusive list. Ronaldo has become only the second player after Lionel Messi to play in six FIFA World Cups. Ronaldo achieved the milestone after being named in the playing XI against DR Congo. He is leading Portugal in the global event. Ronaldo made his FIFA WC debut in 2006 and has been part of every event since then.
Despite winning accolades across the globe, Ronaldo has yet to win the FIFA World Cup title. Portugal have never played a WC final. In 2022, Ronaldo-led Portugal crashed out after losing the quarter-final. Ronaldo left the stadium in tears and there were doubts about whether he would participate in the 2026 WC. With an aim to end his title drought, Ronaldo continued to play for Portugal and is now leading the team in the FIFA WC.
Lionel Messi became first footballer to achieve this feat
Lionel Messi became the first footballer to achieve this feat in the ongoing event. He has also been part of every Argentina squad since 2006. Messi captained Argentina to a title win in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Should he captain Argentina to a WC win, he will become only the first captain to lead a team to back-to-back title wins.
Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa has also been part of three FIFA WCs so far. But he has only featured in three events. He wasn’t part of Mexico’s XI in the tournament’s first game against South Africa.
Portugal vs DR Congo playing XIs
DR CONGO Starting XI (5-3-2):
Lionel Mpasi (GK); Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Steve Kapuadi, Axel Tuanzebe (C), Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Ngalayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe; Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa.
Substitutes:
Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Dylan Batubinsika, Joris Kayembe, Gedeon Kalulu, Nathanael Mbuku, Theo Bongonda, Noah Sadiki, Aaron Tshibola, Charles Pickel, Brian Cipenga, Gael Kakuta, Meschack Elia, Fiston Mayele, Simon Banza
PORTUGAL Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
Diogo Costa (GK); Tomas Araujo, Renato Veiga, Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes; Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Neves, Vitinha; Cristiano Ronaldo (C), Pedro Neto.
Substitutes:
Jose Sa, Rui Silva, Nelson Semedo, Ruben Dias, Diogo Dalot, Goncalo Inacio, Samu Costa, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Francisco Trincao, Rafael Leao, Goncalo Guedes, Francisco Conceicao.