Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCristiano Ronaldo is playing in his sixth World Cup Wednesday after being named in Portugal’s starting line-up for their opening game against DR Congo.Ronaldo made his first appearance at a World Cup in 2006, and he is still going strong 20 years later, with Roberto Martinez trusting him to lead the line for Portugal.Ronaldo has now equalled Lionel Messi’s record of playing in six World Cups, with the Argentine superstar making his first appearance at the 2026 tournament on Tuesday night.Messi delivered a masterful performance as he scored his first World Cup hat-trick to guide Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria.Ronaldo will hope to make a similar impact, with Portugal aiming to get off to a strong start to prove they can be World Cup contenders.In fullPortugal v DR Congo LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo begins sixth World Cup campaign after Messi shinesThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
The number of World Cups Ronaldo has played in as he matches Messi’s record
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCristiano Ronaldo is playing in his sixth World Cup Wednesday after being named in Portugal’s starting line-up for their opening game against DR Congo.Ronaldo made his first appearance at a World Cup in 2006, and he is still going strong 20 years later, with Roberto Martinez trusting him to lead the line for Portugal.Ronaldo has now equalled Lionel Messi’s record of playing in six World Cups, with the Argentine superstar making his first appearance at the 2026 tournament on Tuesday night.Messi delivered a masterful performance as he scored his first World Cup hat-trick to guide Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria.Ronaldo will hope to make a similar impact, with Portugal aiming to get off to a strong start to prove they can be World Cup contenders.In fullPortugal v DR Congo LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo begins sixth World Cup campaign after Messi shinesThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
