HOUSTON — Three hours before Portugal kicked off its 2026 World Cup campaign against Congo on Wednesday, June 17, hundreds of fans wearing CR7 jerseys lined up in the rain outside NRG Stadium to see their idol play.
They were rewarded. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most decorated and famous soccer players on the planet, began his sixth World Cup as part of Portugal’s starting lineup against Congo.
Ronaldo entered Wednesday’s game with eight career World Cup goals across 22 appearances. He would have to put up a massive performance to catch rival Lionel Messi, whose June 16 hat trick gave him 16 career World Cup goals and tied him with Germany great Miroslav Klose for the men’s all-time record.
Portugal starting lineup
- GK Diogo Costa
- João Cancelo
- Rúben Dias
- Gonçalo Inácio
- Nuno Mendes
- Bruno Fernandes
- Vitinha
- Bernardo Silva
- Rafael Leão
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Pedro Neto
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing against DR Congo in the World Cup?
