0 goals & assists
Cristiano Ronaldo’s abysmal World Cup knockout record is beaten by only one player
©TM/IMAGO
"I'm back" were the words bellowed at the camera by a fired up 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo as he left the field after scoring a well-taken brace for Portugal against Uzbekistan in the group stages. Lionel Messi, now aged 39, had lit up the tournament by scoring a fine hat-trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria, whilst Ronaldo had drawn a blank in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo. The Portuguese superstar tends to take these things personally and is obsessed with trying to be the best. There have been some arguments that Portugal’s talented team are perhaps better off without Ronaldo up front.
Stats
Cristiano Ronaldo
Centre-Forward
Portugal
231
145
46
Given the age of the player, his best days are certainly behind him, yet he still requires most of the play to go through him. Every attacking player is constantly looking for Ronaldo. That made perfect sense when he was at his physical best. He has an unbelievable record for Portugal – he is their greatest ever player and has scored 145 goals in 231 caps. His longevity must be admired, but it his persistence to not let go that could perhaps end up holding his nation back this summer. Ronaldo will look to silence his doubters once more when Portugal face Croatia in the round of 32 this Friday. Don't bet against it, but the superstar does have a torrid record in World Cup knockouts.
Cristiano Ronaldo one game from worst ever World Cup knockout record
As illustrated in the graphic above, over the years Ronaldo has played eight World Cup knockout games for Portugal, playing 569 minutes. This includes four matches at the 2006 tournament, one at the 2010 edition, one in 2018 and two four years ago in Qatar. In these aforementioned games, sensationally, Ronaldo has failed to score a single goal or register a single assist. Now, when it comes to the misfiring in front of goal, only one attacker has featured in more World Cup knockout matches without scoring. Step forward Dirk Kuyt of the Netherlands.
The Dutchman played nine knockout games in the global festival of football without scoring. He did however provide three assists in knockout ties on the Netherlands way to the 2010 final. If Ronaldo fails to score against Croatia he will join Kuyt in the unwanted first place position. Brazilian winger Denilson went seven knockout games without scoring in 1998 and 2002. Marcus Rashford is fourth having now gone seven knockout matches without finding the back of the net for England including Wednesday’s game against DR Congo. France’s Ousmane Dembélé is fifth going six matches without scoring, whilst a further 10 players have gone five matches without a goal.
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