World Cup 2026: Cristiano Ronaldo misses mark in sixth tournament debut as Messi shines

Cristiano Ronaldo began his record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance with a subdued performance, failing to score in Portugal's opening 1-1 draw. The Portuguese star, playing at 41, was a focal point of the attack but remained largely ineffective, touching the ball only 25 times and registering no shots on target. He also neither committed nor received any fouls, a stark contrast to his usual dynamic play.

Ronaldo's quiet debut leaves him still seeking to make his mark on this tournament, a feat he aimed for by scoring in his sixth World Cup, a milestone he now shares with Lionel Messi. However, unlike Messi's explosive start, Ronaldo's contribution was minimal, leaving him with opportunities in Portugal's remaining Group K matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia to achieve this individual record.

This subdued start for Ronaldo stands in sharp contrast to Lionel Messi's triumphant opening match. Messi, playing in his sixth World Cup at nearly 39 years old, delivered a masterful performance, scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's victory. This achievement not only marked his historic sixth World Cup appearance but also saw him equal Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals.

Following Messi's performance, global media hailed it as "magical" and "historic." Argentinian coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi, stating he will remain the best "as long as he wants." Scaloni added, "It's exciting to watch, not just for Argentinians but for everyone who loves football."