Ronaldo broke two world records on the same day

In a historic World Cup 2026 qualifier, Portugal secured a resounding 5-0 victory over Armenia at the Vazgen Sargsyan Stadium in Yerevan. The match was live-text broadcasted by Gazeta.Ru.

The star of the show was Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a brace to bring his international goal tally to an impressive 140. With this achievement, Ronaldo has extended his world record for international goals, surpassing his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, who currently has 114.

The match was significant not only for Ronaldo's personal milestone but also for the broader international football landscape. The Russian national team and clubs were suspended from various competitions by FIFA and UEFA in February 2022, a direct result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, Russian teams and players, including those from Armenia, were barred from participating in the 2022 World Cup, the 2024 European Championship, and the 2026 World Cup.

This suspension had a profound impact on the international football scene, with Russian clubs being excluded from participating in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Russian footballers also missed out on the 2024 European Championship and were not included in the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

At 40 years old, Ronaldo continues to set records in international football, defying age and expectations. His brace against Armenia marked his 139th and 140th goals, both scored in the World Cup 2026 qualifier. As the football world watches in awe, it seems that Ronaldo's legacy will continue to grow.