Messi, Ronaldo now jointly hold record for longest gap between first and latest World Cup goals

Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo now jointly hold the record for longest gap between a player's first and latest FIFA World Cup goals at 20 years and six days. Messi scored his first on June 16, 2006 and latest on June 22, 2026. Ronaldo’s first came on June 17, 2006 and latest on June 23, 2026.