Cristiano Ronaldo's 'humiliating silence' in the match log... 6th World Cup debut brings 'mixed joy and sorrow'

*This content was translated by AI.

Argentina's Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami), who set a historic record by appearing in his sixth World Cup, and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Al-Nassr) experienced sharply contrasting fortunes in their first matches of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup.

While Messi set numerous historic records, including his first-ever sixth World Cup appearance and a hat-trick (three goals), Ronaldo bowed his head after failing to record a single shot on target against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who appeared in a World Cup finals match for the first time in 52 years.

Earlier, on the 17th (Korean time), Messi started in the Group J first-round match against Algeria at the Kansas City Stadium in the United States, achieved a hat-trick, and led his team to a 3-0 victory. It was truly a 'one-man show.'

By appearing in the match today, Messi set a historic record as the first player in history to appear in six World Cups, recording 16 career World Cup goals to share the top spot for most World Cup goals with German legend Miroslav Klose. With 24 career World Cup attacking points (16 goals, 8 assists), Messi moved from a tie for first place with Pelé (12 goals, 9 assists) to sole first place.

Furthermore, at the age of 38 years and 357 days, Messi achieved a hat-trick on the World Cup stage, breaking Ronaldo's previous record (33 years and 130 days) and setting the record for the oldest player to score a hat-trick in World Cup history. Messi is also the second player in history to score in five World Cup tournaments, following Ronaldo. Messi is the only player to have failed to score in one of the World Cups he participated in, which was the 2010 South Africa tournament.

In contrast, Ronaldo, Messi's 'greatest rival,' failed to offer a clear response to Messi's performance.

Ronaldo started and played the full 90 minutes in the Group K first-round match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Houston Stadium in the United States on the 18th but remained silent without recording a single attacking point.

Playing as Portugal's leading striker, Ronaldo failed to record a single shot until the middle of the second half, attempting his first shot only in the 23rd minute of the second half. However, even his first shot missed the target, and five minutes later, another shot also went wide. His third shot of the day, taken during stoppage time in the second half, failed to even head toward the goal.

Ultimately, Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes, recorded three shots, but failed to record even a single shot on target, let alone an attacking point, bruising his pride. Moreover, Portugal drew 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, becoming the opponent's first-ever World Cup goal and first-ever point in a World Cup finals match after 52 years. The captain's pride took an even deeper wound.

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*This content was translated by AI.