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Ian Wright Points Out The 'Myth' In Cristiano Ronaldo's Overall Game
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Ian Wright labelled Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick ability as a "myth" during Portugal's defeat against Belgium on Sunday.
The 36-year-old Portugal captain has a relatively poor record from dead-ball situations at major tournaments. Since his European Championship debut in 2004, Ronaldo has failed to convert a single free-kick in 28 attempts.
In fact, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has netted just one goal - a terrific effort to complete his hat-trick against Spain - from 51 direct free-kicks at World Cups and Euros.
Ronaldo's free-kick record at major tournaments :dart:
EUROs
27 taken
0 goals
World Cup
24 taken
1 goal#POR #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/j5y5yTDOKw
- Goal (@goal) June 27, 2021
He has, of course, netted a number of memorable free-kick goals down the years, including strikes against Portsmouth, Arsenal and Celta Vigo, to name just a few.
But despite scoring 56 goals from set-pieces in his career, ITV pundit Ian Wright is far from convinced.
After Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a comfortable save from a Ronaldo effort in the first half, the former Arsenal striker gave a damning assessment of his record.
"How many of those free-kicks does Ronaldo actually score?" Wright said.
"I read something that says he's got one in 50. It's kind of like a myth, that Ronaldo is on it, watch out everyone. Nothing happens."
Lmaooooo Ian Wright just torching Ronaldo's threat from direct free kicks.
- Roberto Mancini hypeman Ryan Conway (@RJConway92) June 27, 2021
Fellow pundit Patrick Vieira went on to praise Courtois' save from Ronaldo's free-kick but Wright wasn't having any of it.
"You expect him [Courtois] to make that kind of save," said the former France international. "If he concedes a goal in this way, he'd be disappointed with himself. But it was a good save by Courtois."
Wright then responded: "What, this free-kick? Courtois has enough time to see it. Plus it's Ronaldo he doesn't score many free-kicks."
Plenty on social media reacted to Ronaldo's questionable free-kick record both during and after Portugal's Euro 2020 exit.
Got to love Cristiano Ronaldo's stunned expression when he misses his 382nd successive free kick.
- Jon Driscoll (@DriscollFC) June 27, 2021
Commentators will continue to say "this is Cristiano territory" when Portugal get free kicks even though Ronaldo hasn't been a reliable free kick taker since Obama's first term.
- Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) June 27, 2021
Ronaldo isn't great at free kicks.
Really confusing as to why every time he's over one the commentators make out as if it's likely to be a goal when he barely ever scores them?
What actually is his conversion rate? Must be really low.
- Ellis Platten - AwayDays (@ellis_platten) June 27, 2021
If Ronaldo wasn't Ronaldo, he'd have been taken off free kick duties in about 2012
- HITC Sevens (@HITCSevens) June 27, 2021
It is true that Ronaldo score a great free kick back in 2009. https://t.co/D45VoNIC1P
- Mike L. Goodman (@TheM_L_G) June 27, 2021
Thoughts on Ronaldo's free-kick record? Should he be ahead of Bruno Fernandes in the Portugal pecking order?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Belgium, Football, Euro 2020, Ian Wright, UEFA, Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo
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