Cristiano Ronaldo has set a new record that’s made headlines around the world—but not for a good reason. During the recent UEFA Nations League qualifying match against Denmark, Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty. This miss resulted in him surpassing Lionel Messi for the most penalties missed in football history.
Portugal’s Narrow Victory and Ronaldo’s Missed Penalty
Despite the penalty miss, Portugal secured their place in the UEFA Nations League final four after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Denmark. The match was intense, with Portugal coming from behind after a 1-0 loss in the first leg. Early in the return match, VAR awarded Portugal a penalty after Patrick Dorgu fouled Ronaldo in the penalty area.
Ronaldo stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made an incredible save, keeping Portugal from taking the lead early in the game. However, Ronaldo redeemed himself later by scoring a goal that helped secure Portugal’s spot in the semifinals, despite the initial setback.
Ronaldo Surpasses Messi for Most Missed Penalties
With that missed penalty, Ronaldo now holds the record for 32 missed penalties, surpassing Messi’s previous record of 31 misses. While this statistic is remarkable, it’s not something Ronaldo is proud of. The Portuguese legend, known for his penalty-taking prowess, has faced criticism for this record, but it doesn’t overshadow his impressive overall penalty kick conversion rate.
Ronaldo’s career penalty statistics are still highly remarkable. With 173 penalties scored from 205 attempts, Ronaldo boasts an impressive penalty conversion rate of 86.9% at the club level. However, his national team penalty conversion rate has been less efficient. Ronaldo has scored only 21 goals from 30 penalty attempts for Portugal, bringing his conversion rate down to 70%.
Messi vs Ronaldo: A Tale of Two Penalty Kings
While Ronaldo’s penalty miss history is now cemented with the most misses in football, his overall performance is still unmatched in terms of the total number of penalties scored. Ronaldo’s 173 goals from 205 attempts make him the most successful penalty scorer in football. Messi, however, has 109 goals from 140 attempts, giving him a conversion rate of 76.6% at the club level, with a miss percentage of 22.1%.
When it comes to penalty kick statistics, Messi has been more successful with Argentina than at the club level. He has scored 24 out of 29 penalties for Argentina, achieving an 82.8% conversion rate for his national team.
Penalty Record Breakdown
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Cristiano Ronaldo: 173 goals from 205 attempts, miss percentage: 15.6%
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Lionel Messi: 109 goals from 140 attempts, miss percentage: 22.1%
While these two legends are the top performers, there are a few other notable players with significant numbers of missed penalties. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, for example, has 16 missed penalties from 92 attempts, and Francesco Totti has 20 missed penalties from 106 attempts. These players are not far behind the two superstars in terms of penalty miss statistics.
Ronaldo’s Penalty Conversion with Portugal
Despite his overall penalty success at the club level, Ronaldo’s performance with Portugal has been more inconsistent. While he remains the first-choice penalty taker for the national team, his conversion rate with Portugal is much lower than his club conversion rate. With 152 goals from 175 penalties at the club level, Ronaldo has an 86.9% conversion rate, compared to his 70% success rate with the national team.
Messi’s Superior Penalty Conversion for Argentina
Messi, on the other hand, has demonstrated superior accuracy with Argentina. Despite his lower conversion rate at the club level, his penalty record for Argentina is stronger. He has converted 24 out of 29 penalties, achieving a conversion rate of 82.8% for Argentina. This shows that Messi’s penalty success rate for his national team is considerably better than his club performance.
The Significance of Penalty Misses in Football
Penalties are an essential part of football, and while most players strive to convert spot-kicks successfully, missing a penalty can have a significant impact on a match. For Ronaldo and Messi, their penalty records—both positive and negative—are closely followed by fans and analysts alike. The missed penalties from both stars highlight how even the most successful football players can face moments of failure.
Despite Ronaldo’s record for missed penalties, it’s important to remember that his overall career is filled with incredible achievements and records, many of which still stand as milestones in football history. As the most successful penalty scorer in football, his performance from the spot has been far more impactful than his penalty misses.
Conclusion
Cristiano Ronaldo’s new record of 32 missed penalties has shocked many, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 31 misses. While this statistic has drawn attention, it doesn’t define Ronaldo’s career. His penalty success rate, despite some setbacks, remains one of the best in football history. As Portugal’s top scorer, Ronaldo continues to be an essential player for both his national team and club, and his penalty kick record will likely continue to evolve.
FAQs
1. How many penalties has Ronaldo missed?
Ans: Cristiano Ronaldo has missed 32 penalties, the most in football history.
2. How does Ronaldo’s penalty record compare to Messi’s?
Ans: Ronaldo has missed 32 penalties, while Messi has missed 31. Ronaldo has a better conversion rate at the club level, but Messi has been more accurate with Argentina.
3. What is Ronaldo’s penalty conversion rate?
Ans: Ronaldo’s club conversion rate is 86.9%, while his national team conversion rate is around 70%.
4. What is Messi’s penalty conversion rate for Argentina?
Ans: Messi has a conversion rate of 82.8% for Argentina, higher than his club rate of 76.6%.
5. Who else is on the list of most missed penalties?
Ans: Other notable players with significant missed penalties include Zlatan Ibrahimovic (16 misses) and Francesco Totti (20 misses).