Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the tenth player in his 40s to play in the World Cup
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday became the tenth player over the age of forty to play a match in the World Cup finals. He could also become the first to score in six different editions.
On Wednesday, during the meeting between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cristiano Ronaldo wrote a new page in the history of the World Cup by becoming the tenth player in his forties to set foot on the pitch in a final phase. The Al-Nassr striker, aged 41 years and 132 days, joins a very small club of World Cup veterans.
Only goalkeepers Essam El Hadary (Egypt) and Faryd Mondragón (Colombia), as well as striker Roger Milla (Cameroon) played at an older age in this competition. Furthermore, Manuel Neuer (Germany) and Vozinha (Cape Verde), also goalkeepers, were already among the ten oldest players to play in the World Cup before this match.
What sets Cristiano Ronaldo apart is his ability to score goals in these competitions. Against DR Congo, he could become the first player in history to score at least one goal in six World Cup finals. Lionel Messi has reached at least this number of appearances, but without scoring in the 2010 World Cup.
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A further modification of this ranking of the oldest players is expected the same evening, with the entry into play of Luka Modric (40 years and 281 days) for Croatia against England. The current dean of the competition is Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, who does not, however, start.
Here are the team compositions for this match:
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; Fernandes, Neves, Vitinha; Silva, Ronaldo, Neto.
DR Congo: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaka; Mukau, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa.