Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for the World Cup by sitting on Manchester United’s bench but how many goals has the Portugal legend scored at the tournament?
The world-class striker has, of course, had a lengthy career and has also played for Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid, and Juventus, along with United.
He has played at multiple tournaments and has won 191 caps for Portugal in total, as per Transfermarkt.
In that time, he has scored 117 goals, but how many of them have come at the biggest tournament in world football?
As we know, Ronaldo has won just about everything there is to win in football, but the World Cup has eluded him thus far.
That may well change this year if Portugal can go all the way in Qatar!
How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored at the World Cup?
BRAGA, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 27: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 match between Portugal and Spain at Estadio Municipal de Braga on September 27, 2022 in Braga, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Ronaldo has played in 17 games at the World Cup, going back to 2006, and has scored seven goals in total.
His first strike came at the 2006 tournament when he netted in a 2-0 win over Iran.
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His most recent World Cup goal came in 2018 when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 group stage victory over Morocco.
Having captained his country at three tournaments, his record really isn’t as good as one would expect.
How many knockout round goals has Ronaldo scored at the World Cup?
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JUNE 23: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group F match between Portugal and France at Puskas Arena on June 23, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Tibor Illyes - Pool/Getty Images)
None.
It’s an amazing thing to think about when one considers just how good Ronaldo is but he has never managed to score a goal in regulation time in a knockout game.
In 2006, Portugal reached the semi-finals but lost to France; Ronaldo did not score in the round of 16 against the Netherlands, nor did he net in normal time against England or Les Bleus. He also failed to score in the third-place play-off defeat to Germany. It should be said that he did score a penalty against the Three Lions.
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At the 2010 World Cup, Portugal got through the group stage but lost to Spain in the Round of 16, losing 1-0, and they did not get out of the group in 2014.
In 2018, Ronaldo scored four times – a hat-trick against Spain and one against Morocco – but he failed to score in the Round of 16 defeat to Uruguay.
Who will Portugal play at the 2022 World Cup?
Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - Group B - Portugal v Spain - Estadio Municipal de Braga, Braga, Portugal - September 27, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
Ronaldo and co will play Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea in Group H.
Were they to finish second in their group, they would face the winners of Group G in the knockout stages, which could set up a mouthwatering clash with Brazil.
Still, Ronaldo will have his sights set on hitting the back of the net and adding to his tally before the end of 2022.
Will Ronaldo start for Portugal at the World Cup?
Ronaldo has started a lot of Portugal's recent games and is seen as the captain of the nation. With this in mind, it is expected that he will start for the country at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. When team news comes out, GiveMeSport will let you know if he starts!
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