"Only scores against Luxembourg and Latvia" - Fans react as Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane's international knockout goal stats surface
A recent post by ESPN UK comparing Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane's goal statistics in the knockout stage of international competitions has sparked mixed reactions from fans on social media.
The post on X (formerly Twitter) pitted both players' goals per game ratio at the FIFA World Cup and European Championship. The Englishman has a better ratio than the Portuguese despite playing fewer games at both tournaments combined.
Ronaldo has three goals in 20 knockout games giving him 0.15 goals per game. Kane, meanwhile, has netted nine goals in 13 knockout games for 0.69 goals per game.
These statistics further fuel the criticism surrounding Ronaldo following a disappointing performance at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old failed to register a goal in a major tournament for the first time, and couldn't help Portugal evade defeat as France eliminated them via shootouts in the quarterfinal.
These statistics caught fans' attention and they were quick to react, with many throwing shades at Ronaldo for his below-par performances in knockout games.
One fan wrote that Ronaldo only scores in qualifiers against teams like Luxembourg and Latvia:
"Dude only scores against Luxembourg and Latvia during qualifiers."
Another fan questioned whether the England captain was better than the Portugal skipper on the international stage:
"Is my eyes deceiving me or is Kane better than Ronaldo internationally."
A third fan hit out on Cristiano Ronaldo for being less productive in the international scene.
"Expose that international fraud," the fan posted.
Check out other reactions to the post below:
Harry Kane could be the next European Championship Golden Boot winner after Cristiano Ronaldo
Harry Kane could become the next player to clinch the European Championship Golden Boot award. The England forward is one of the leading goalscorers at Euro 2024 with three goals from six matches.
However, he faces stiff competition from Spain's Dani Olmo who has registered three goals and two assists in fewer games (five).
Cristiano Ronaldo was the most recent player to win the European Championship Golden Boot award. The Portugal star scored five goals at Euro 2020, the same number as Czechia's Patrick Schick, but he edged ahead due to creating more assists (one).
Kane will look to lead the Three Lions to their maiden Europan Championship title when they clash with Spain in the final on Sunday (July 14).