Ronaldo's World Cup record as history maker issues message after Portugal win

Cristiano Ronaldo will go to his fifth World Cup after helping Portugal qualify for the tournament, and he'll hope for better luck in Qatar after mixed fortunes in his previous efforts on the world stage.

The Manchester United forward wasn't on the scoresheet as Fernando Santos' team got the play-off victory they needed against North Macedonia. However, Bruno Fernandes ' double was enough to send Portugal through, and Ronaldo sent a message as he gets ready to make history in November.

Ronaldo has finished on the winning side in just six of his 17 World Cup games for Portugal, and even their 2016 European Championship success came off the back of just one victory inside 90 minutes. Here, Mirror Football looks back at the forward's World Cup record in full.

"Goal achieved, we're at the Qatar World Cup, we're in our rightful place!" Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. "Thank you to all the Portuguese for the tireless support! Power Portugal!"

If he plays in Qatar, Ronaldo will be just the fourth player to take to the field in five World Cups. Mexico's Rafael Marquez became the third in 2018, with his compatriot Antonio Carbajal and German legend Lothar Matthaus the others.

However, simply making it to the tournament is only half the battle. If the 37-year-old wants to add a world title to his European triumph, he knows he'll need to deliver more than he has in the past.

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2006

Ronaldo's first World Cup was certainly a memorable one, not least for his role in England's elimination. Indeed, his wink after Wayne Rooney's dismissal in the quarter-final briefly made him public enemy number one in the Premier League.

In broader terms, though, it was a good tournament for Ronaldo. He was in the running for young player of the tournament - losing out to Lukas Podolski - and made it all the way to the semi-finals before France ended Portugal's dream.

2006 was also the year in which Ronaldo scored his first ever World Cup finals goal. It came from the penalty spot, in a victory over Iran, as Luiz Felipe Scolari's side made up for their group stage exit four years earlier.

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2010

Portugal were similarly comfortable in the 2010 group stages, in Ronaldo's first World Cup as a Real Madrid player. The forward captained his country as they made it through the group stages without conceding a goal, and got himself on the scoresheet in a 7-0 victory over North Korea.

That's as good as it got, though. The second round saw Portugal paired with reigning European champions Spain, and that's where their journey ended.

Portugal's four games in 2010 saw them draw a blank on three occasions, and Ronaldo - fresh off a 33-goal season in Spain - wasn't able to do the business.

2014

Ronaldo had gone even better at club level in the lead-up to the 2014 tournament. His 51 goals for Real Madrid included a record 17 in the Champions League as Carlo Ancelotti's side claimed the trophy.

However, injury worries in the lead-up to the tournament in Brazil made him a doubt for the tournament, and he wasn't at his best when things got underway. Indeed, few in Portugal's squad were on form, with a 4-0 defeat against Germany setting the tone.

There were moments, still - not least a pinpoint cross for Silvestre Varela's goal against the United States and a late winner against Ghana. Portugal's run ended in the group stage, though, and Ronaldo's wait would continue.

2018

The 2018 World Cup was the scene of Ronaldo's best performance at any edition of the tournament. His hat-trick against Spain earned Portugal a point against impressive opponents, and was one of just two trebles scored in Russia along with Harry Kane's for England against Panama.

He was on target again against Morocco, finding the net inside the first 10 minutes to hand his team a 1-0 victory. That result meant a point against Iran would be enough, and a point was what Portugal got despite a nervy final few minutes.

Ronaldo had scored 44 times the previous season, in what would be his final campaign in Madrid, and he looked ready to lead Portugal even further. It wasn't to be, though, with a double from his future Manchester United teammate Edinson Cavani sending Uruguay through at the Selecao's expense.