At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo scores a record-breaking goal at his sixth World Cup. A few days earlier, 39-year-old Lionel Messi notches his 18th goal at the tournament, extending his all-time lead. And Luka Modric, 40, earns his 200th cap for Croatia. These three men, all past the age when footballers are supposed to decline, are rewriting what's possible at the highest level.
This is not just nostalgia. At the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi celebrated his 39th birthday and became the tournament's all-time top scorer with 18 goals. He scored a hat-trick against Algeria and a double against Austria. Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, became the first male player to score at six different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026) with his double against Uzbekistan. He also became the second-oldest World Cup goalscorer, behind only Cameroon's Roger Milla (42 years, 39 days). Luka Modric, the 40-year-old Croatia captain, won his 200th international cap against Panama, joining Ronaldo, Messi and Kuwait's Bader al-Mutawa as the only male players to reach that milestone.
“Explains why Messi, Ronaldo and Modric are still breaking records at the 2026 World Cup.”
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has defined modern football. Both debuted at the 2006 World Cup. Messi has scored in every edition except 2010; Ronaldo has now scored in all six. Their careers have been a constant push-and-pull for records. Modric, meanwhile, won the Ballon d'Or in 2018, interrupting their decade-long dominance. He led Croatia to the 2018 final and the 2022 semi-finals. Together, these three players represent an era of unprecedented longevity and excellence.
For UK readers, this is relevant because British players and fans have witnessed their greatness firsthand. Ronaldo played six seasons at Manchester United, winning three Premier League titles. Modric spent four years at Tottenham before joining Real Madrid. England faced Modric's Croatia in the 2018 semi-final (a 2-1 loss) and again in the group stage of 2026. The careers of these extraordinary talents overlap with the Premier League's golden era, and their continued presence at World Cups shapes the narrative of the tournament England are competing in.
Q: How many World Cups has Cristiano Ronaldo scored at? He is the first male player to score at six different World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. Messi has scored at five (missing 2010).
Q: What records do Messi and Ronaldo hold at the World Cup? Messi is the all-time top scorer with 18 goals. Ronaldo is the first to score at six tournaments and is the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history at 41 years and 138 days.
Q: How has Luka Modric performed at the World Cup? Modric won the Golden Ball in 2018 as the best player. He led Croatia to the final in 2018 and the semi-finals in 2022. At 40, he won his 200th cap, becoming only the fourth male player to do so.
What happens next: Messi and Ronaldo could add to their record goal tallies as the World Cup continues. Modric and Croatia face a must-win group match against Brazil. Both Messi and Ronaldo have hinted they may not play beyond this tournament, but their managers and former teammates have not ruled out another World Cup appearance for either. The 2026 World Cup knockout stages will determine whether these veterans add another chapter to their storied careers.