Ages and Records: The Senior African Scorer Overshadowed by Ronaldo and Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo may have made history by scoring in a record sixth FIFA World Cup, yet one milestone remains elusive for both him and Lionel Messi, who celebrated his 39th birthday on Wednesday.

When Ronaldo broke the deadlock against Uzbekistan in Portugal’s second group match, he became the second-oldest scorer in World Cup history, finding the net at 41 years and 138 days.

However, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star still trails Cameroon legend Roger Milla on the all‑time list.

Milla first appeared at the 1982 finals in Spain but rose to global prominence during the 1986 tournament, scoring four goals as Cameroon reached the quarter‑finals – the first African team to do so – and earning a celebrated signature celebration at the corner flag.

Four years later, Milla returned to the score sheet at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, converting a close‑range shot against Russia. Although Cameroon ultimately exited in the group stage with a 6‑1 defeat, Milla’s performance cemented his place in World Cup lore.

Ronaldo can take pride in moving Messi down from third to fourth on the list after the Argentinian forward netted at 38 years and 363 days in a win over Austria.

Messi could still be overtaken by 40‑year‑olds Bosnia‑Herzegovina striker Edin Džeko or Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić, should either score another goal.

Japan centre‑back Yuto Nagawa, who is nine months older than the Argentine, has yet to make his World Cup debut.

Even goalkeepers have potential to climb the rankings. Six players older than Messi — including Germany’s Manuel Neuer, Cape Verde’s Vozinha and Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera — have never scored in a World Cup across 22 editions since 1930.

Austria’s Marko Arnautović, 37, entered the top 10 of this tournament’s scorers thanks to a late penalty in the win over Jordan.

Milla’s record, however, appears poised to endure unless Ronaldo or Messi decide to mature on home soil, as the 2030 World Cup hosts will stage matches in both Portugal and Argentina.

This prospect, while unlikely, would certainly add a new chapter to World Cup history.

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