Lionel Messi turned 39 during the 2026 World Cup, while Cristiano Ronaldo is now 41 — and both are still breaking records on football's biggest stage.
Messi and Ronaldo have dominated men's football for two decades, and their rivalry continues into the 2026 World Cup. Messi leads the all-time World Cup goalscoring charts with 18 goals, having scored a hat-trick against Algeria and a double against Austria in Argentina's opening two games. Ronaldo, meanwhile, became the first player to score at six different World Cups, netting a double against Uzbekistan. He is now the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history at 41 years and 138 days, behind only Cameroon's Roger Milla (42 years and 39 days). Both players scored their first and last World Cup goals for their country 20 years and 11 days apart.
“Messi and Ronaldo keep breaking records at age 39 and 41 in the 2026 World Cup.”
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo has defined an era. Over the past two decades, they have pushed each other to new heights. Ronaldo's record-breaking moment came after criticism following Portugal's opening 1-1 draw with DR Congo, where he delivered a sub-par performance and faced rumours of a breakdown in relationships with teammates. After scoring against Uzbekistan, he said "I'm back" down the camera lens. His former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney said: "He takes some criticism and this is how he responds."
For UK readers, this story resonates because British audiences have watched both players in the Premier League — Ronaldo at Manchester United and Messi as a rival at Barcelona in the Champions League. The World Cup remains the pinnacle of the sport, and seeing two ageing icons still performing at the highest level offers a unique narrative. It also sparks debates about longevity, fitness, and whether modern football allows players to compete into their late 30s and early 40s. Ronaldo's manager Roberto Martinez acknowledged he is "a human being... allowed to have feelings," highlighting the emotional toll of playing under constant scrutiny.
Q: How many World Cup goals has Messi scored? Messi has scored 18 World Cup goals, the most of any player in history. He has scored 12 of those since turning 35.
Q: What record did Cristiano Ronaldo set at the 2026 World Cup? Ronaldo became the first player to score at six different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). He also became the second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Q: How old are Messi and Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup? Messi is 39 and Ronaldo is 41. Both are among the oldest players in the tournament.
What happens next? The 2026 World Cup group stage is ongoing, and both players could add to their goal tallies. Ronaldo and Portugal face further group matches, while Messi and Argentina seek to defend their 2022 title. The Golden Boot race is heating up, with Kylian Mbappe also in contention. With each game, the two legends could set new records for longevity and scoring.