Cristiano 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.

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