Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo made history Thursday at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first male player to score at five different World Cups in a 3-2 opening win for Portugal over Ghana.
The 37-year-old was tripped in the box for a penalty in the 65th minute, and he put Portugal ahead 1-0 from the spot:
FOX Soccer @FOXSoccer
RONALDO MAKES HISTORY
With this goal, he becomes the first men’s player to score in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments ๐ฅ๐ต๐น pic.twitter.com/PxWP4Z5z8o
By virtue of his historic goal, many on social media referred to Ronaldo as the greatest soccer player of all time, including former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson:
Chad Johnson @ochocinco
The ๐ @Cristiano makes history ๐ต๐น
Portugal @selecaoportugal
@Cristiano แดแดแด The GOAT ๐ แดแดแด ๐ of @GWR.
๐ช๐ถ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐๐: 1ยบ Jogador a marcar em 5 Mundiais diferentes! ๐คฏโฝ #VesteABandeira #WearTheFlag pic.twitter.com/LsGtQPzn29
๐โค๏ธ @Twitugal
WORLD RECORD FOR THE GOAT @CRISTIANO !
๐ต๐นCR7 SCORED IN 5โฃ WORLD CUPS ! HISTORY ! pic.twitter.com/LDqfhmm4g8
Shina Oludare ๐ณ๐ฌ @sportingshina
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first player to score in five different #FIFAWorldCup. The real GOAT.๐ #PORGHA pic.twitter.com/6uLUyOe4yg
Ugwunna Ejikem ๐ต๐น๐ต๐น๐ต๐น @UgwunnaEjikem
Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in all of history to score in FIVE World Cups.
FIVE. What! A! Phenomenon!!!
I! Know! My! GOAT! ๐๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/s4Yufeq0Hf
Adaora๐ซ๐ @Ada_Ora1
2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo does not break records, he sets record’s the Goat ๐ pic.twitter.com/TFSD6iOyys
UnitedBox๎จ @UnitedBoxx
Always The Man Of The Moment!
Cristiano Ronaldo ๐
Becomes the first man to score at five FIFA World Cups ๐
The GOAT ๐ pic.twitter.com/OesBNNiy8Z
As has been the case for Ronaldo throughout most of his career, his accomplishment was also compared to Argentinian star Lionel Messi.
By scoring Thursday, Ronaldo broke a tie with Messi and others for most World Cup tournaments scored in, and he recorded his eighth career World Cup goal overall, which also put him one ahead of Messi:
OptaJoe @OptaJoe
5 – Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score five in different editions of the World Cup (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022). Limitless. pic.twitter.com/w6noDKxoVR
Ronaldo’s record-breaking goal came during a tumultuous week that saw him mutually agree to have his contract with English Premier League club Manchester United terminated.
As a result, Ronaldo’s second stint with United ended after less than two full seasons.
The club drama did not impact Ronaldo’s play at the international level, though, as his PK was the catalyst for what was ultimately a 3-2 win.
Ghana scored a surprising equalizer in the 73rd minute when Andrรฉ Ayew found the back of the net, but Joรฃo Fรฉlix scored in the 78th minute and Rafael Leรฃo followed up with a goal in the 80th minute to put Portugal 3-1 ahead.
Osman Bukari shrunk the deficit back down to one with a goal in the 89th minute, but Portugal managed to hang on for the win.
Ronaldo and Portugal are now in great position to advance to the knockout stage for the fourth time at the past five World Cups.
On Monday, Ronaldo will look to add to his career haul of World Cup goals when Portugal faces Uruguay, while Ghana will meet South Korea.
