By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
Cristiano Ronaldo found himself at the center of social media buzz this week after missing a penalty in Portugal’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ireland in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier on October 11. The 40-year-old superstar’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Ireland’s Caoimhin Kelleher in the 73rd minute, sparking a flurry of posts on social media claiming Ronaldo holds the record for the most penalty misses, alongside the most penalties taken and scored. But what do the numbers really say about Ronaldo’s penalty prowess?
The miss in Dublin, where a handball by Dara O’Shea gifted Portugal a golden opportunity, marked Ronaldo’s third penalty miss of 2025, following earlier failures for Al-Nassr against Raed Ozaybi and for Portugal against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League. Critics on X, including accounts like @ESPNFC and @TheHateCentral, were quick to highlight the miss, with some claiming Ronaldo has the “most penalty misses of all time.” Yet, a deeper dive into the stats reveals a more nuanced picture of a player whose penalty record is both remarkable and unmatched.
A Record-Breaking Penalty Taker
Ronaldo has taken an astonishing 211 penalties in his career (excluding shootouts), a figure that dwarfs his peers. For context, Lionel Messi, often compared to Ronaldo, has attempted 141 penalties, while modern stars like Harry Kane (100) and Robert Lewandowski fall even further behind. Historical data on legends like Pelé, who scored 70 penalties, suggests no one comes close to Ronaldo’s volume. This sheer number of attempts makes Ronaldo the undisputed record-holder for the most penalties taken in football history.
Of those 211 attempts, Ronaldo has converted 178, giving him an 84.8% success rate and the record for the most penalties scored. Messi trails with 111 successful penalties at a 78% conversion rate, while players like Pelé or Ledio Pano, who boasted a perfect record in over 40 attempts, simply didn’t face the same volume. Ronaldo’s 178 penalty goals, spread across stints at Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al-Nassr, and Portugal, underscore his reliability from 12 yards over a 20-year career.
The Flip Side: Penalty Misses
The claim that Ronaldo has the most penalty misses is also true—he’s failed to convert 33 penalties, edging out Messi’s 32. But this statistic is less a mark of failure and more a byproduct of opportunity. Players with fewer attempts, like Matt Le Tissier (48/49, 98% conversion) or Lewandowski (91%), naturally have fewer misses. Ronaldo’s 33 misses, while the highest in raw numbers, come with a caveat: his 84.8% conversion rate is elite for someone who’s taken over 200 penalties. Compare that to Messi’s 78% or even Harry Kane’s 86%, and Ronaldo’s consistency holds up under scrutiny.
The Ireland miss wasn’t Ronaldo’s first high-profile slip for Portugal. Fans may recall his misses against Austria in Euro 2016, Slovenia in Euro 2024, and Ireland in 2021. Yet, Portugal’s victory in Dublin, sealed by Ruben Neves’ stoppage-time header, ensured the miss didn’t cost them. It’s a testament to Ronaldo’s resilience that these moments haven’t defined his career.
Social Media Storm
The reaction on social media particularly on X was predictably polarized. Some users raze on, with posts like “Ronaldo’s penalty misses are piling up!” while others defended him, pointing out that you can’t miss what you don’t take. One user quipped, “Call him the penalty king—takes the most, scores the most, misses the most. Still a legend.” The debate reflects Ronaldo’s polarizing presence: every miss is magnified, but so is every milestone.
The Bigger Picture
Ronaldo’s penalty record is a testament to his career—defined by unprecedented volume and remarkable consistency. At 40, he remains Portugal’s talisman, with 141 international goals and counting. His miss against Ireland may have fueled the critics, but it’s a small blemish on a record that includes 178 penalty goals and a conversion rate that stacks up against the best.
As Portugal march toward the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo’s penalty-taking duties are unlikely to change. The numbers tell the story of a player who’s faced the pressure of the spot-kick more than anyone—and delivered more often than not. Love him or hate him, Ronaldo’s penalty record is a testament to his longevity and nerve. The next time he steps up to the spot, don’t bet against him.
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