Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick taking ability is a ‘MYTH’, says Ian Wright, who insists the Portuguese superstar ‘doesn’t score many’ after failing to net in Euro 2020 defeat against Belgium
Ian Wright has branded Cristiano Ronaldo‘s free-kick talent as a ‘myth’ after the Portuguese superstar again failed to score from the set-piece in their 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
Roberto Martinez’s side sent Portugal crashing out of the European Championships, after Thorgan Hazard’s 42nd minute goal was enough to separate the sides.
Ronaldo struggled to influence the game but came close to scoring with a free-kick that was palmed away by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Ian Wright said Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick taking ability is a ‘myth’
Ronaldo couldn’t find his shooting range as Portugal crashed out of the Euros against Belgium
Ian Wright pointed out that Ronaldo ‘doesn’t score many free-kicks’ during his analysis
The 36-year-old has been praised for free-kick taking in the past, but during ITV’s half-time analysis, Wright hit out at Ronaldo’s record from free-kicks.
He said: ‘How many of those free-kicks does Ronaldo actually score, 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.’
Former Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira added: ‘You expect him (Courtois) to make that kind of save. 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.’
Going into the second-half, Ronaldo had another opportunity to score from a free-kick but couldn’t get it past the wall.
Ronaldo had two-kicks, the first of which was parried away by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
The second of his free-kicks didn’t fare better as it struck Dries Mertens jumping up for the ball
The Juventus’ star hasn’t found his shooting boots when it comes to European Championships in the past either.
Since his debut at the Euros in 2004, Ronaldo has had 28 direct free-kicks – four times more than any other player in that time, and has failed to score any of them.
Ronaldo hasn’t scored from a direct free-kick in 28 efforts since his Euros debut back in 2004
Despite his disappointing free-kick record, Ronaldo has hit some big free-kicks in his time.
His biggest for Portugal coming in their thrilling 3-3 draw with Spain at the 2018 World Cup.
Portugal missed a host of other chances from the likes of Diogo Jota and Joao Felix, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
Meanwhile, Belgium will go on to face Italy in the quarter-finals on Friday in Munich.