CRISTIANO RONALDO’S determination to take Juventus’ fifth penalty backfired last night after the Old Lady lost their Coppa Italia final.
The Italian champions drew 0-0 with Napoli after extra-time before the tight contest went to the dreaded penalty shootout.
Ronaldo didn’t take a penalty in Juventus’ cup final defeatCredit: Rex Features
Napoli’s Arkadiusz Milik scored the winner from 12-yards to secure a 4-2 victory after Paulo Dybala and Sebastiano Luperto missed for Juve.
But Ronaldo’s insistence to grab the headlines and score the final kick appeared to hinder Juve’s chances of lifting the title.
That is because the contest was over before the Portuguese superstar even had the chance to score from the spot.
He was even accused by those on social media of putting his ego over his team-mates by wanting to steal the glory.
It was not the first time Ronaldo has been involved in an all-important shootout without taking a kick himself.
Portugal vs Spain – Euro 2012 semi-final
At Euro 2012, Portugal crashed out of the competition in the semi-finals to Spain following a penalty shootout.
Moutinho missed the opening kick while Spain’s Xabi Alonso also missed.
Surprisingly, defenders Pepe and Bruno Alves were ahead of Ronaldo in the penalty pecking order with the latter missing his kick.
Portugal vs Chile – Confederations Cup 2017 semi-final
It was a similar situation in the Confederations Cup semi-final when Portugal met Chile.
Ronaldo’s side missed all of their penalties in a 3-0 defeat before Germany went on to lift the trophy.
Quaresma, Nani and Moutinho all missed from 12-yards with Claudio Bravo sensationally saving all three kicks.
Manchester United vs Chelsea – Champions League final 2008
The 35-year-old famously missed United’s third penalty in the 2008 Champions League final.
The winger was forced to take the long walk back to the centre-circle in the pouring rain as Chelsea closed in on lifting the Champions League title.
But he had John Terry to thank after the defender spooned the chance to score the winning penalty allowing United back into the contest.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – Champions League final 2016
It’s not all bad for Ronaldo who did manage to steal the headlines in 2016 against Real’s arch rivals.
After a 1-1 draw after extra time, Los Blancos emerged 5-3 victors with Ronaldo sealing the all-important winning kick.
Ronaldo’s Portugal crashed out of Euro 2012 to Spain on penaltiesCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Ronaldo famously missed from the spot against Chelsea in 2008Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Cristiano Ronaldo told Nani he will ‘probably’ play in MLS with David Beckham’s Inter Miami desperate for transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
