Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo could add another chapter to his remarkable international career at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but one of the tournament’s most enduring records appears set to remain beyond his reach.
The 41-year-old forward arrives at his sixth World Cup still chasing the extraordinary milestone of 1,000 career goals, a target that has become one of the biggest talking points in world football. Yet even if Ronaldo scores in North America, he will be unable to surpass the record held by Cameroon legend Roger Milla as the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Ronaldo remains the focal point of a talented Portugal squad that is widely viewed as a contender for the title. A goal at the tournament would further cement his place among football’s greatest players, but age calculations show Milla’s record is safe for now.
Milla set the benchmark at the 1994 World Cup in the United States when he scored against Russia at 42 years and 39 days old, becoming the oldest player ever to score in the competition.
The second spot on the list is currently occupied by former Portugal defender Pepe, who scored against Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the age of 39 years and 283 days.
Ronaldo sits third after scoring against Ghana in the same tournament when he was 37 years and 292 days old.
If the Portugal captain finds the net during the 2026 World Cup, he would move ahead of Pepe and climb into second place on the all-time rankings. However, he would still fall short of Milla’s long-standing mark.
Portugal’s group-stage schedule illustrates the challenge. Ronaldo will be 41 years and four months old during the opening matches against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Even if Portugal advance all the way to the final and Ronaldo scores on July 19, he would still be several months younger than Milla was when he established the record.
The race for second place is also attracting attention. Croatia captain Luka Modric, Bosnia-Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko and Japan veteran Yuto Nagatomo could all improve their positions among the oldest World Cup goalscorers if they score during the tournament.
Goalkeepers dominate the list of the oldest players competing in North America. Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera, Germany’s Manuel Neuer and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa are all approaching their 40s and remain key figures for their national teams.
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon stands out as a unique case. At 43 years old, he is the only player at the tournament with a realistic opportunity to break Milla’s record, although goalkeepers rarely find themselves on the scoresheet.
For Ronaldo, the focus remains on extending a legacy that already includes records for international appearances and goals. While becoming the oldest World Cup goalscorer may have to wait, a strong tournament could see him climb higher in football history and move one step closer to the elusive 1,000-goal milestone.
Should Ronaldo continue playing until the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco, the possibility of challenging Milla’s record could once again become a topic of discussion.
