Opinion/ Emerging Stat Proves That Cristiano Ronaldo Doesn't Need a World Cup to Prove His Football Legacy

Portugal won a fiercely contested 2-1 over Scotland in a Nations League Group A game Wednesday in an exciting battle. Early with a goal in the 7th minute, Scott McTominay placed Scotland ahead; Portugal answered fiercely. In the 54th minute Bruno Fernandes levelled the score; Cristiano Ronaldo guaranteed the victory with a goal in the 88th minute. Portugal's superiority—26 shots and 69% possession against Scotland's 5 shots and 31% possession defined the game. With 6 points from 2 games, the victory drives Portugal to the top of League A Group 1 ranks.

Well, what’s more, interesting is the Portugal football team captain and football legend, Ronaldo, scored his 901th career goal, days after he scored his 900th against Croatia. That made him the only person in the history of the sport to do so. Even though he is nearing the age of 40, CR7 has shown no signs of stopping and is arguably still one of the most clinical footballers in the world. 

However, there is still a certain fanbase in the football world that doubts the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner’s legacy, given that his national team never won a FIFA World Cup. But the Portuguese football legend led his team to their first-ever UEFA Euro victory and then a  UEFA Nations League.

Well, if you pick the greatest footballer of all time, does it have to be based on the team trophies they won, or do you judge them on their individual performance and the impact they have had on the football world? 

Without Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal was a struggling nation without any major trophies, CR7 led them to glory in 2016 and won the Euros. Still, many say that he did not win the World Cup and is not the greatest of all time, despite him being the top goal scorer in international football history and club history. 

Also Read: France captain Mbappé on bench vs. Belgium in Nations League

Stat emerges Cristiano Ronaldo that proves Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't need a World Cup to prove his legacy and impact in the world of football 

At the senior international level, Cristiano Ronaldo has accomplished an amazing milestone by scoring against 48 different countries—a record never seen in football history. Ronaldo, who debuted in 2003, has confirmed his reputation as a prolific and powerful player by netting an amazing 132 goals in 214 appearances for Portugal.

Not only that, Cristiano Ronaldo nears Sergio Ramos’ record for the most wins in international football. Ramos has won 131 games with Spain and is now retired from the international stage. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the other hand, has won 130 games and is just 2 wins away from breaking another record on the world stage, a milestone he is poised to surpass.

Speaking on the club's football impact, CR7 proved himself in all the leagues he took part in and is one of the players to have a successful stint in all three European leagues, like the Premier League, La Liga, and the Serie-A. Given his age, he is still dominating the pitch every week in one of the toughest leagues in Asia with Al-Nassr at the Saudi Pro League. 

It is anticipated that the greatest goal scorer in football history will not be stopping anytime soon and will lead Portugal in the FIFA World Cup 2026. It is not necessary for him to win it to prove that he is one of the best in the sport’s history; it could just be a cherry on top of his incredible career of dominating football in different countries and being the best in international football history, which is not just anybody’s cup of tea.