Over the past 17 years, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been at the center of one of sports’ biggest rivalries, consistently proving themselves as top soccer players. Their competition has moved onto the international stage, where they have both achieved impressive statistics. Recently, the Portuguese player has surpassed the Argentine star in a remarkable achievement, bringing him closer to breaking a world record.
In a notable match against Armenia, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals, raising his total to 39 goals in World Cup qualifying matches. This milestone puts him ahead of Lionel Messi, who has 36 goals. Ronaldo is now just two goals away from outpacing Carlos Ruiz to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying history, according to MisterChip.
Lionel Messi will miss the upcoming game on September 9th against Ecuador, which might mark the end of his World Cup Qualifier appearances. In the meantime, Cristiano Ronaldo still has five matches remaining, providing him a great chance to set a new record. This could increase his lead over Messi and possibly push him to third place in the all-time rankings.
Top 5 all-time top scorers in World Cup Qualifiers history
While Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi lead as the highest-scoring active players in World Cup Qualifiers history, another player is quickly approaching their totals. Here’s a look at the top five active scorers in World Cup qualifiers.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating after scoring during the 2025 UEFA Nations League.
| 1. | Carlos Ruiz | 39 goals |
| 2. | Cristiano Ronaldo | 38 goals |
| 3. | Lionel Messi | 36 goals |
| 4. | Ali Daei | 35 goals |
| 5. | Robert Lewandowski | 31 goals |
Upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal
Following a strong victory over Armenia in their first game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Portugal has several important matches lined up to secure their spot in the tournament. They will face Hungary on September 9 in the second match of their opening round.
After a nearly month-long break from UEFA competitions, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team will play against Ireland on October 11 and again against Hungary on October 14.
The qualifiers are not yet finished for Portugal, as they will close with matches against Ireland and Armenia scheduled for November 13 and 16. These games mark a crucial step in their journey toward the 2026 World Cup, with Ronaldo’s team showing a promising mix of young talent and experience.