Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Chase Historic Record Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of football’s greatest icons, are on the verge of breaking a historic record in the World Cup qualifiers. Both players are closing in on the all-time record of 39 goals in qualifiers, currently held by Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz.

Messi, with 34 goals for Argentina, and Ronaldo, with 36 for Portugal, have a golden opportunity to set a new milestone on their path to the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The prospect of both stars participating in their sixth World Cup adds even more intrigue. If achieved, they would surpass legends like Lothar Matthäus and Gianluigi Buffon, becoming the first players to compete in six editions of the tournament.

As the qualifiers progress, the football world eagerly watches to see if Messi and Ronaldo can surpass this record, further cementing their legacy as two of the sport’s greatest players.