Ronaldo breaks more World Cup records while Modrić makes history too
Cristiano Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down (photo: x.com/FIFAWorldCup)
The 2026 World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and Croatia went down in football history thanks to the unique achievements of the teams' leaders. Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić rewrote World Cup records that had stood for decades, according to Opta statistics.
How Cristiano surpassed the legendary Shilton
By appearing in the starting lineup against Croatia, Ronaldo officially became the oldest player in World Cup knockout-stage history. The Portuguese forward was 41 years and 147 days old on the day of the match.
With this achievement, Cristiano broke the record of legendary England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, which had stood since the 1990 World Cup (when the keeper played a knockout match at the age of 40 years and 292 days). Ronaldo also became the oldest player ever to win the Player of the Match award in the knockout stage of a World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić (Photo: x.com/FIFAWorldCup)
Modrić's historic achievement
The appearance of Croatia legend Luka Modrić was no less remarkable. The midfielder played the match at the age of 40 years and 296 days.
Modrić also surpassed Shilton and became the second-oldest player in World Cup knockout-stage history.
The Portugal-Croatia match became the first in World Cup history to feature two outfield players aged over 40 in the same knockout-stage match.
CR7's scoring milestones and absolute greatness
A converted penalty in the second half allowed Ronaldo to reach several more statistical milestones:
- He became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup knockout-stage history (41 years and 147 days), surpassing the achievement of his former Portugal teammate Pepe, who scored at the 2022 World Cup at the age of 39 years and 283 days.
- It was the first World Cup knockout-stage goal of Ronaldo's career. Although the Portuguese star is playing in his sixth consecutive World Cup (matching the all-time record he shares with Lionel Messi), he had previously scored only in the group stage.
- Cristiano's total number of goals in his professional career reached 976.
- Goals at major tournaments. Ronaldo became the first player in history to score 25 or more goals combined in the final tournaments of the two biggest international competitions — the World Cup and the European Championship.
This World Cup will be the final major tournament of the 41-year-old forward's international career. Since Portugal advanced, Cristiano will have the chance to extend his own age-related records in the round of 16 against Spain on July 6.
Read also how an AI supercomputer reveals title favorites before the knockout rounds.
