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A Comparative Analysis of Penalty Records: Ronaldo vs. Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are two of the most iconic footballers in history, known for their extraordinary skills on the pitch. However, since moving away from European leagues, their penalty-taking records have shown a stark contrast. This difference is not just about numbers but also reflects their roles within their respective teams.
Ronaldo’s Penalty Dominance
Since joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has continued to be a reliable presence in front of the penalty spot. In total, he has taken 27 penalties and scored 25 of them, showcasing an impressive conversion rate of 92.6%. Additionally, he has contributed four goals from the penalty spot for Portugal, bringing his overall tally to 29 out of 33 penalties taken, resulting in an 87.9% conversion rate.
What makes Ronaldo’s record even more remarkable is that 25.3% of the goals he has scored in Saudi Arabia have come from penalties. This high percentage highlights his consistent performance and confidence when taking penalties, especially considering the challenges of adapting to a new league.
Messi’s Limited Penalty Involvement
In contrast, Lionel Messi’s involvement with penalties has been minimal since joining Inter Miami in 2023. He has only taken two penalties for the club and scored both, giving him a perfect 100% conversion rate. However, this number pales in comparison to Ronaldo’s.
Messi has not taken any penalties for Argentina in regular time matches since joining Inter Miami. The only instance of him taking a penalty was during a Copa America penalty shootout against Ecuador, where he missed. This lack of involvement in penalty situations is further emphasized by the fact that Inter Miami has only been awarded one penalty in the entire 2024 MLS campaign, which Messi converted against Nashville.
Team Dynamics and Tactical Decisions
One of the key reasons for the disparity in penalty involvement between Ronaldo and Messi lies in the team dynamics and tactical decisions made by their respective clubs. Al-Nassr, where Ronaldo plays, has been awarded significantly more penalties than Inter Miami. During the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season, Al-Nassr were given 13 penalties, with Ronaldo taking nine of them.
On the other hand, Inter Miami has only been awarded eight penalties across all competitions since Messi joined the club in the summer of 2023. Out of these, Messi has taken only two, meaning he has accounted for just 25% of the penalties awarded to the team. This suggests that Messi has been more willing to let other players take responsibility for penalties.
Breakdown of Penalty Records
Here is a detailed breakdown of how Messi and Ronaldo’s penalty records compare since they each left Europe:
Messi’s Penalty Record Since Leaving Europe
– Inter Miami
– Penalties Taken: 2
– Penalties Scored: 2
– Conversion Rate: 100%
– Argentina
– Penalties Taken: 0
– Penalties Scored: 0
– Conversion Rate: N/A
– Overall
– Penalties Taken: 2
– Penalties Scored: 2
– Conversion Rate: 100%
Ronaldo’s Penalty Record Since Leaving Europe
– Al-Nassr
– Penalties Taken: 27
– Penalties Scored: 25
– Conversion Rate: 92.6%
– Portugal
– Penalties Taken: 6
– Penalties Scored: 4
– Conversion Rate: 66.7%
– Overall
– Penalties Taken: 33
– Penalties Scored: 29
– Conversion Rate: 87.9%
Conclusion
The difference in penalty records between Ronaldo and Messi can be attributed to various factors, including the number of penalties awarded to their respective teams and their willingness to take on the responsibility. While Ronaldo continues to thrive as a penalty taker, Messi has found himself in a different role, allowing others to step up when needed. This contrast highlights how individual circumstances and team strategies can shape a player’s career trajectory.
