‘Phenomenon’ Ronaldo Makes World Cup Goal Scoring History

Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenon according to Portugal boss Fernando Santos after becoming the first player to score at five World Cups.

Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana on Thursday.

The 37-year-old took his career World Cup goals tally to eight, having netted one in each of the 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions, before scoring four times in 2018 highlighted by a hat-trick against Spain.

“He’s one of the best players in the world, there’s no doubt about that, one of the best players ever,” Fernando Santos said.

“Cristiano is a phenomenon, a legend, like many others who have come and gone in football. In 50 years’ time, we will continue to talk about him.”

The milestone comes only days after Ronaldo and Manchester United agreed to a mutual termination on his contract. That wasnt lost on Ronaldo but he was eager to move on.

“It was a beautiful moment, my fifth World Cup,” Ronaldo said. “We won, we started (on the front) foot, it’s a very important win.

“We know that in these competitions the first match is crucial, but also the record to be the first player to score in five World Cups, it’s something that makes me very proud and I’m very happy that the team got a result in a tough game.

“The most important step was that we won, it was a week that finished a chapter, it’s closed, and now we want to start off on a good foot.”