Lionel Messi of Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, two of the most celebrated footballers in the world, recently missed penalties in international matches, leading to widespread reactions from fans and pundits. These rare mistakes have sparked significant discussion about their implications.
Messi's missed penalty occurred during Argentina's Copa America quarterfinal against Ecuador, while Ronaldo's miss happened in Portugal's Euro 2024 last-16 match against Slovenia. Specifically, Ronaldo's miss came during extra time, failing to score from 12 yards against Slovenia, whereas Messi's miss was part of a penalty shootout against Ecuador.
The reaction on social media was swift and varied. Some fans expressed shock and disbelief, while others offered words of encouragement and support. One Twitter user commented, "Messi's miss was worse than Ronaldo's. No intensity," highlighting the perceived lack of fervor in Messi's attempt. Another fan noted the critical timing of Ronaldo's miss, saying, "Ronaldo missed a decisive penalty," emphasizing the high stakes of his error.
These misses have also sparked broader conversations about the immense pressure faced by top athletes. Despite their consistent excellence and numerous achievements, both Messi and Ronaldo's recent penalty misses serve as a reminder that even the best can experience setbacks.
The discussion around these incidents has also touched on the nature of penalties in football. Penalty kicks, often seen as straightforward, carry significant pressure, especially in crucial moments of important matches. The expectation for players of Messi and Ronaldo's caliber to always deliver adds an extra layer of scrutiny to their performances.
See the reactions on Twitter below.