FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reignited the long-standing GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate by offering glowing praise for Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese superstar recently achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first player to win league titles and top scorer awards in four different countries.
Ronaldo's Historic Achievement
On Thursday, May 21, Ronaldo helped Al Nassr secure the Saudi Pro League title for the first time in seven years, scoring twice in a 4-2 victory over Damac. According to reports from MARCA, this achievement makes Ronaldo the first footballer in history to win both the league championship and the top scorer award in England (Manchester United), Spain (Real Madrid), Italy (Juventus), and Saudi Arabia (Al Nassr).
Infantino's Message
Following the triumph, Infantino took to social media to congratulate Ronaldo, highlighting the player's potential to make history at the upcoming World Cup. "An incredible achievement by an inspirational player," Infantino wrote on Instagram. "It's a record sixth successful FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign for Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal booked their place at the 2026 edition. Cristiano now has the chance to represent his country at six FIFA World Cups, something no men's player has yet achieved."
Ronaldo's World Cup Journey
Ronaldo's World Cup career began at the 2006 tournament in Germany, where Portugal reached the semi-finals and finished fourth. At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he scored once as Portugal were eliminated in the Round of 16 by eventual champions Spain. The 2014 tournament in Brazil was disappointing, with Portugal exiting in the group stage. However, Ronaldo produced a memorable performance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, scoring four goals including a hat-trick against Spain in a thrilling 3-3 draw. His most recent World Cup appearance was in Qatar 2022, where Portugal suffered a shock quarterfinal defeat to Morocco. Now, at 41, Ronaldo has been included in Portugal's final 27-man squad for the 2026 World Cup by manager Roberto Martinez.
Messi and Ochoa Also Eye History
Despite Infantino's praise for Ronaldo, the historic six-World-Cup milestone may not be exclusive to the Portuguese icon. Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are also expected to feature at the 2026 tournament, which would mark their sixth World Cup appearances. Messi, who finally won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, remains Ronaldo's biggest rival in the GOAT debate. The rivalry between the two legends has dominated football for nearly two decades, and with the 2026 World Cup approaching, the debate is set to intensify once again as all three players chase another slice of history.
