Carlos Ruiz held the top spot as the leading scorer in FIFA World Cup qualifying for almost ten years, netting 39 goals in 47 matches. This record was later surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo, dethroning the Guatemalan legend known as El Pescadito.
In an interview with FIFA, Ruiz mentioned how Ali Daei previously held the record for an undisclosed period, emphasizing the lesser-known nature of this achievement. He acknowledged the increased significance now that Ronaldo holds the record, recognizing the competitive nature of the feat with players like Ali Daei and himself. Despite this, Ruiz expressed pride in his nine-year reign at the top, particularly with football luminaries like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi chasing his record.
Ruiz’s goal-scoring prowess spanned five qualifying campaigns from 2002 to 2018. Despite his individual success, his ultimate desire of seeing Guatemala qualify for a World Cup remains unfulfilled.
However, with the current scenario looking promising, Guatemala, under the guidance of Mexican coach Luis Fernando Tena, holds the third position in Group A of Concacaf’s third round, trailing just one point behind the leaders, Suriname and Panama. The upcoming home matches against these rivals in November offer an opportunity to secure a historic entry into the 2026 finals.
Speaking on the potential World Cup qualification, Ruiz highlighted the positive impact it could have economically and emotionally for Guatemala. He emphasized the importance of investing in youth, infrastructure, and nurturing local talent to propel the country’s football development.