For subscribers
On The Ball
Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo may have reached his use-by date
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo walking off after being shown a red card during the World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Nov 13.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
Football fans of a certain age used to know the name of Antonio Carbajal as the Mexican goalkeeper who in 1966 became the first man to play in five World Cups. It was not until 1998 that Lothar Matthaus, the Germany midfield star, emulated him as an outfield player.
In 2026, in North America, two players who continue to rewrite football’s record books can play in a sixth World Cup Finals.

