Real-world football isn’t our usual beat for news coverage here on IGN, but after Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in Portugal’s penalties victory over Slovenia at Euro 2024 last night, we have that rare and magical occurrence of soccer culture bleeding into the world of pop culture — and of course the internet is at the heart of it. But first a quick recap. 39-year-old Ronaldo, considered one of the greatest to ever play football, starred up front for Portugal during last night’s crucial round of 16 knockout match against Slovenia, and it was very much the Ronaldo show, as it so often is.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has yet to score in the tournament, and based on last night’s performance you can see why. Ronaldo missed a number of chances, including a penalty in the 105th minute that left the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward in tears. But it was his continued failed attempts to score free kicks in the game that caused the internet to compare Ronaldo to supervillain Homelander from .
Cristiano Ronaldo saw the funny side ? — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) Ronaldo took three free kicks in the match and failed to score any of them. One in particular, from a tough angle that was crying out for a cross rather than a shot when Portugal desperately needed a goal, sailed high and wide, sparking mocking jeers from the Slovenia fans. Ronaldo has now taken 60 free kicks at major international tournaments, scoring only one.
It was Ronaldo’s insistence that he .
