Cristiano Ronaldo: Chasing History, Surpassing Messi, and Eyeing the All-Time World Cup Qualifying Record

Father Time, it seems, has yet to receive Cristiano Ronaldo’s address. The Portuguese maestro continues to defy expectations, delivering another monumental scoring performance for his nation that has rewritten the record books and set his sights on an unprecedented milestone.

“I don’t chase records,” Cristiano Ronaldo has often stated, “They chase me.” And indeed, the statistical landmarks continue to gravitate towards him with remarkable speed. A stunning brace in Portugal’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Armenia on Saturday afternoon propelled the veteran forward to yet another significant scoring milestone.

Ronaldo now boasts an incredible tally of 38 goals in World Cup qualifiers, officially surpassing Lionel Messi’s 36 for Argentina. This achievement further solidifies his legacy in international football, yet the outright record for World Cup qualifying goals remains just within his grasp.

The Quest for the All-Time Qualifying Record

While Ronaldo has eclipsed his long-time rival, the current record holder is the retired Guatemalan forward Carlos Ruiz, affectionately known as “The Little Fish.” According to IFFHS, Ruiz amassed an unrivaled 39 goals during his various Concacaf qualifying campaigns. Interestingly, despite his prolific scoring, Ruiz never managed to lead Guatemala to a World Cup finals appearance, nor even a playoff berth.

The race for this particular record adds an intriguing layer to Ronaldo’s already illustrious career. With Portugal still having five crucial qualifying fixtures remaining – including clashes against Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, and a return fixture against Armenia – Ronaldo is strongly positioned to surpass Ruiz and claim this individual honor.

Messi’s Farewell and Ronaldo’s Continued Ascent

The landscape of international football is shifting, with Lionel Messi recently playing what is widely considered his final competitive fixture on home soil for Argentina. He has confirmed his absence from Argentina’s upcoming trip to Ecuador, and significant doubts linger about his participation in the 2026 World Cup, let alone the qualifying campaign for the 2030 tournament.

In stark contrast, Ronaldo, at 40 years old, shows no signs of slowing down. His continued presence and scoring prowess are vital for Roberto Martínez’s Portugal side, who are looking to build on their recent Nations League triumph.

World Cup Qualifying: Top Scorers

Here’s a look at the all-time top scorers in World Cup qualifying, as of September 6, 2025:

Player	Nation	Goals
1. Carlos Ruiz	Guatemala	39
2. Cristiano Ronaldo	Portugal	38
T-3. Lionel Messi	Argentina	36
T-3. Ali Daei	Iran	36
5. Robert Lewandowski	Poland	31
T-6. Luis Suárez	Uruguay	29
T-6. Sardar Azmoun	Iran	29

This table highlights the exceptional company Ronaldo keeps and the magnitude of his latest achievement. For more on the top goalscorers in football history, the numbers continue to tell a compelling story.

World Cup Finals Performance: A Different Story

While Ronaldo’s dominance in qualifying rounds is undeniable, his record in the World Cup finals themselves presents a different narrative. Despite participating in five World Cups with Portugal, none of his eight goals in the competition have come in the knockout stages. His best finish remains his debut appearance in 2006, where Portugal reached the semifinals before being defeated by France.

Subsequent tournaments saw Portugal exit in the last 16 (2010, 2018), a disappointing group-stage exit in 2014, and famously, Ronaldo was benched as Portugal were eliminated by Morocco in the quarterfinals of the Qatar World Cup. This contrast highlights the immense pressure and heightened stakes of the global showpiece event, a challenge Ronaldo will undoubtedly aim to conquer in what could be his final World Cup appearance.

As Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy age and expectations, the football world watches with bated breath to see which records he will conquer next. His unwavering dedication and insatiable hunger for goals ensure that his pursuit of history remains one of the most compelling narratives in modern sports.