How good is Cristiano Ronaldo now? What to know about Portugal soccer legend's skills at age 41
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Cristiano Ronaldo is making sixth World Cup appearance. Barring something unforeseen, this one will represent his final chance of hoisting the famous trophy above his head.
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The Portuguese supernova has danced atop pitches for more than 20 seasons, enjoying one of the most impressive runs in top-flight soccer in history. All good things come to an end, however, including his splendid career. After lackluster showings at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championships, Ronaldo is hoping to leave his mark on the stage he coveted so desperately across his career.
Casual audiences are privy to the fact that Ronaldo took his talents to Saudi Arabia in 2023. Just how has he performed since swapping sides? And what can audiences expect out of the aging wonder at the 2026 World Cup for Portugal? Here's what you need to know.
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How old is Cristiano Ronaldo?
Ronaldo is 41 years old. He turned 41 on Feb. 5. He is the second oldest player at this year's World Cup, only surpassed by Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon (43 years and 162 days).
The Portuguese superstar is one of eight 40-years old set to take part in the midsummer spectacle. He's by far the most-decorated figure of that bunch — although players like Manuel Neuer, Luka Modric and Edin Dzeko have impressive resumes in their own right. Nevertheless, Father Time comes for all, including the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
MORE: A look at each World Cup hat trick in tournament history
Is Cristiano Ronaldo still good?
Ronaldo still produces goals in bunches. He ranked third in the Saudi Pro League in scoring, recording 28 goals in the 2025-26 season. In his prior two seasons, he was the competition’s leading scorer, tallying 35 and 25 goals, respectively.
Ronaldo also shined in Portuguese colors during World Cup qualifying, tallying a team-high five goals to lead Portugal to four wins in six.
All of that is to say, Ronaldo is still a top-tier goal scorer. He’s not at the level he once was, though, offering little in the way of all-around play. At 41, Ronaldo is not the most adept at pressing or providing defensive support or structure. His days of being the creative fulcrum of his team are long over, having faded as the years have gone on. He’s a finisher — and a damned good one at that. But his waning physical attributes mean he’ll need his chances created for him.
Portugal has a series of playmakers capable of doing just that — namely Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, PSG’s Vitinha, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and AC Milan’s Rafael Leão. Still, Ronaldo’s game takes a far different disposition from the style of play that suited him 10–15 years ago.
MORE: Where is Ronaldo ranked among World Cup goalscorers?
Cristiano Ronaldo stats 2025-26
Stats per 90 mins2025/26 (Al-Nassr)Goals0.97Shots5.57Shots on target2.08Shot conversion rate14.00%Cristiano Ronaldo role on Portugal's World Cup team
Ronaldo will likely serve as Portugal's starting striker during the 2026 World Cup. He is certainly capable of finishing chances — his showcases at Al-Nassr and Portugal make that abundantly clear. However, his limitations out of possession mean Roberto Martinez's side will likely have to make concessions elsewhere. Expect the midfield to be combative, with Joao Neves and Joao Palhinha likely called to shore up fires in the middle third of the pitch.
Furthermore, Ronaldo's waning pace suggests the team could attempt to whip crosses into his as opposed to playing him in from behind — a strength of his game in the past. Fernandes and Vitinha are some of the best passers in world soccer, well-equipped at finding their targets in the eye of storm. Ronaldo will need all the help he can get if he hopes to get on the scoresheet during Portugal's World Cup run.
MORE: Why Cristiano Ronaldo's best chance of winning World Cup with Portugal is as a back-up
Who's better, Messi or Ronaldo now?
Ronaldo's gaudy numbers could suggest that he's a more productive player than Messi at this stage in his career. That assessment would be wrong, however. Messi is quite comfortably the MLS' best player in the twilight of his career, a goals-and-assists maven who has recorded at least double-digits in each stat category every full season since he arrived in Vice City. Saudi Arabia's Pro League has made strides in recent years. But it doesn't offer quite the same competition as is present in MLS, spattering of marquee signings be damned.
Furthermore, Messi just became the oldest player to record a World Cup hat trick. It seems unlikely that Ronaldo — who contributed just one goal and zero assists in five World Cup matches in 2022 — will reach the same accolade.
We'll give this advantage to Messi.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo the greatest of all time?
Ronaldo's goal-scoring plaudits are undeniable. He is arguably the finest goal-scorer in soccer history, pairing impressive ball-striking with dancing feet to collect nearly 1,000 career goals across his professional career.
That's not quite enough for him to claim the title of soccer's greatest-ever player, however. Ronaldo was a strong playmaker during his prime. He wasn't Messi, though, who mixed effortless dribbling and an all-seeing passing eye with splendid scoring chops to become the sport's grandest talent. Messi isn't able to equal Ronaldo in terms of goal-scoring — although he comes close. But his passing gifts give him the edge over the hulking striker, at least in the minds of most.
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