Footballer to score in Five World Cups: Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first male player to score in 5 World Cups

Cristiano Ronaldo made history on Thursday as the first male footballer to score in five World Cups in Portugal's opening game in Qatar against Ghana.

The Portugal captain scored in the 65th minute from the penalty spot -- the 118th goal for his country -- to open the scoring at Doha's Stadium 974. Portugal went on to win 3-2 as goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao helped them weather two late efforts from Ghana.

Most players' international careers don't last long enough for them to even have a chance of starring in four or five World Cups. There are a number of reasons for that - injuries, a drop in form or their team fails to qualify. Just five players have played at least one game in five different World Cup finals - Mexico's Andrés Guardado could become the sixth if he gets a run-out in either of the next two games against Argentina and Saudi Arabia.

The first player to score in five World Cups, men's or women's, was Marta in 2019, and Christine Sinclair matched the feat that same year.

Cristiano Ronaldo's goals in World cups:

His first goal at Germany 2006 came in the next game, a penalty against Iran six days later. Portugal made it all the way to the semi-finals where they were eliminated by France but Ronaldo had no luck in front of goal and had to wait another four years for his next one, which came in the dying moments of a 7-0 demolition of North Korea at South Africa 2010.

t was a similar story at Brazil 2014 - he had to wait until the final group game - against none other than Ghana, to get off the mark but it was too little too late as Portugal, who had lost to Germany and drew against the USMNT, were already on their way home, eliminated on goal difference.

Russia 2018 turned out to be far more productive for Ronaldo, who left Real Madrid to join Juventus barely over a week after Portugal's eventual elimination to Uruguay in the Round of 16. He opened with a breathtaking hat trick against Spain and followed that up by hitting the winner in the next group game against Morocco to take his tournament haul to four and his overall tally to seven.

Ronaldo broke the all-time record in Portugal's opening game against Ghana - his 18th World Cup appearance. Portugal were awarded a penalty on 64 minutes after Salisu had brought Ronaldo down inside the box. The Portuguese skipper stepped up to slot in his first goal at Qatar 2022 and eighth goal in five different World Cup finals - 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022. It's been a turbulent week for him with his contract ripped up by United but the record will bring him some solace.

Footballer to score in Five World Cups: Marta and Christine Sinclair:

In the Women's World Cup, several players have managed to score in five different World Cup finals including Marta (Brazil - 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019), and Christine Sinclair (Canada - 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019).