Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who Has Missed More Penalties?

A recent statistical analysis has sparked a fresh debate among football fans regarding the penalty-taking prowess of two of the sport's greatest icons, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The discussion was reignited after Portugal's captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, missed a crucial penalty against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.

According to data compiled from their illustrious careers, Ronaldo has stepped up to take 183 penalties, successfully converting 155 of them, which equates to a miss rate of approximately 15.3%. In contrast, Lionel Messi has taken 145 penalties, scoring 117 times, resulting in a miss rate of around 19.3%.

Despite Ronaldo's higher number of total penalties taken, Messi's miss rate is slightly higher. This statistic adds a new layer to the ongoing rivalry between the two superstars, as fans and analysts continue to dissect every aspect of their performances.

Ronaldo's latest miss against Denmark not only cost his team a potential goal but also brought his penalty record back into the spotlight. Meanwhile, Messi's last missed penalty was in a match against Chile during the 2021 Copa América, a tournament that Argentina eventually won.

As the debate rages on, it is clear that both players have been incredibly successful from the spot, yet their occasional misses are scrutinized under the microscope of their legendary status in the game.

• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Lionel Messi
• UEFA Nations League