"He is killing his legacy", "Dragging Portugal down" - Fans in disbelief as Cristiano Ronaldo headlines unwanted xG list at Euro 2024
Football fans have been left in shock after a disappointing statistic surfaced regarding Cristiano Ronaldo at the ongoing Euro 2024 in Germany. The Portugal captain has endured a disappointing tournament in which he has failed to find the back of the net so far.
Al-Nassr star Ronaldo was named in the Portugal squad for the Euros after a stunning season in the Saudi Pro League. He broke the league's goalscoring record with 35 goals in 31 games and scored 44 times in 45 appearances across competitions. The 39-year-old scored twice in his only friendly match for Portugal before Euro 2024 against Ireland.
Cristiano Ronaldo has started each of his country's games at the Euros this summer but has failed to score even once. The former Real Madrid man has generated an xG of 2.9. This means that he is expected to have scored at least three times based on the quality of the chances he has had.
Fans have reacted to the alarming statistic on X after it came to light.
A fan knocked the forward for posting worse numbers than Romelu Lukaku.
"Being worse than lukaku takes some doing"
Another fan implied that the Al-Nassr man should end his career soon.
"Leave the game before the game leaves you"
Another fan highlighted the forward's inability to score despite shooting regularly.
"Also took the most no. of shots, just somehow not able to score a goal ffs"
With no goals to his name, the forward has recorded the highest xG underperformance in the tournament, as measured by ESPN. The next players on the list are Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku on 2.3 and Kai Havertz on 2.0.
Cristiano Ronaldo closing in on unwanted record at Euro 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo has taken 20 shots without scoring at Euro 2024, with only four players having attempted more at a single tournament without scoring since 1980. The Portuguese superstar missed a penalty in the game against Slovenia before recovering to score one in the shootout.
Ronaldo holds the record for most goals (14) and most appearances (28) in European Championship history, and is playing in his sixth and final edition. The forward has recorded just one assist in the tournament and will be keen to break his duck before the end of the tournament.
If he manages to score for the Selecao against France in their quarterfinal meeting on Friday (June 5), Cristiano Ronaldo will make history. At 39 years old, he will become the oldest player to find the back of the net in the tournament. He will surpass former teammate Luka Modric, who scored for Croatia earlier in the tournament.