Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing a Fifa World Cup title, the only trophy missing from his unbelievable record.
As the 2026 Fifa World Cup takes over the global sporting world over the next month, football fans are asking a familiar question: Does Cristiano Ronaldo need to win the trophy on July 19 to be called a true GOAT?
The debate splits football fans right down the middle. Traditionalists believe that to be a true football immortal, you must win a World Cup. This is the exclusive club of Pele, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi.
For years, critics lambasted Messi for not winning one, until his fairytale victory in Qatar four years ago settled the argument for many. Now, at 41-years old, Ronaldo is chasing that same crowning moment in North America in probably his last ever World Cup appearance as a player. But saying Ronaldo must win the World Cup to be in the greatness conversation is unfair, as it ignores 20 years of incredible, unmatched excellence.
Ronaldo's greatness isn't built on a month-long tournament, but on decades of scoring goals at the very highest level. He is the highest goalscorer in football history. He has won five Uefa Champions League titles, a tournament that is technically much harder to win than the World Cup. He conquered England with Manchester United — even doing the business on a cold, rainy night in Stoke — smashed every record in Spain with Real Madrid, and dominated in Italy with Juventus.
