‘Cristiano Ronaldo Doesn’t Have to Apologise for Anything’ – Why Portugal’s GOAT Remains Untouchable Despite His Penalty Miss

Even after a rare mistake from the spot, Cristiano Ronaldo’s legacy remains beyond question as Portugal edge closer to the 2026 World Cup

Some players miss penalties. Some players break records. And then there’s Cristiano Ronaldo — a man who somehow does both and still manages to dominate the headlines.

During Portugal’s tense 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, the 40-year-old superstar had a chance to add yet another line to his already ridiculous record book. Instead, his 75th-minute penalty was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher, and for a brief moment, the unthinkable happened: silence.

But in true Portuguese fashion, redemption arrived just in time. Ruben Neves struck in stoppage time, securing a 2–1 win and sparing Ronaldo from what could’ve been a rare night of regret.

And yet, even if the game had ended differently, one thing was clear from the reaction in Lisbon, Porto, and every café across the country — Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t owe anyone an apology.

Ronaldo’s penalty miss — a human moment for an immortal player

For two decades, Ronaldo has made football look mechanical. The perfectionism, the precision, the body that seems sculpted for the sport. So when he does something ordinary — like miss a penalty — it almost feels surreal.

The miss itself was almost poetic in its simplicity. No trademark stutter. No outrageous flair. Just a solid strike down the middle — perhaps a calculated gamble, perhaps instinct. Kelleher guessed right, or rather, guessed not to dive too early, and the Irish keeper’s trailing leg made the save.

Ronaldo’s reaction was pure frustration: head down, hands on face, a brief shake of disbelief. For someone who has scored over 870 career goals and 141 for Portugal, that miss was a reminder that even the most divine athletes have human moments.

Had the match ended in a draw, the narrative might have shifted — “the GOAT is slowing down,” “Ronaldo’s time is over” — the usual noise that accompanies the twilight of a great career. But Neves’ last-gasp goal changed everything. Instead of criticism, there was empathy, admiration, and even a kind of national protectiveness.

“Cristiano doesn’t have to apologise for anything” – Portugal stands with their captain

When Ronaldo raised his hands to the Portuguese supporters after the final whistle, a gesture of apology, it wasn’t necessary — and his teammates made sure everyone knew it.

Renato Veiga, one of the newer faces in the squad, spoke after the match with the kind of conviction you’d expect from a fan rather than a colleague.

“Cristiano doesn’t have to apologise for anything,” Veiga said. “For everything he’s done for Portugal, for what he still does, and for the performance he put in tonight — he owes nothing to anyone.”

It wasn’t just Veiga. The sentiment echoed across Portuguese media, sports radio, and social media. Fans flooded online comment sections with messages of support: “He’s human, but he’s still our hero.” Others joked, “Even when he misses, we win — that’s Ronaldo luck.”

This wasn’t denial; it was perspective. Because the truth is, Ronaldo has spent 20 years giving Portugal everything. From the heartbreak of Euro 2004 to the ecstasy of Euro 2016, he’s been the emotional heartbeat of the nation’s football identity.

When he cries, Portugal cries. When he scores, Portugal celebrates as if it’s a national holiday.

And when he misses? Portugal forgives — instantly.

A career built on redemption and resilience

If there’s one thing Cristiano Ronaldo has taught the world, it’s how to bounce back. From his early days at Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and now Al-Nassr, his entire career has been defined by responding to setbacks.

He’s missed crucial chances before — remember the Euro 2012 semifinal shootout against Spain, where he didn’t even get to take a penalty? Or the Champions League final misses that once haunted him? Each time, he came back stronger.

So, a missed penalty in a World Cup qualifier won’t shake him. In fact, it might fuel him.

Because that’s what makes Ronaldo so fascinating: he’s both immortal and mortal at the same time. He knows how the headlines work. He knows critics wait for the smallest sign of weakness. But he’s also lived long enough in this game to know that performances — not moments — define legacies.

And Ronaldo’s legacy is already carved in gold.

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The GOAT still breaking barriers at 40

At an age where most professionals have long retired, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy logic. Forty years old, yet still chasing every ball like a teenager. Still pressing defenders, still demanding the perfect delivery from the wing, still pushing himself toward one more impossible milestone: 1,000 career goals.

Let that sink in — one thousand goals.

For context, Pelé’s official tally sits around 767. Messi’s still over a hundred behind. Ronaldo, who’s now found his rhythm again at Al-Nassr, continues to score freely in Saudi Arabia, while balancing an international career that most players his age could only dream of.

His longevity isn’t just about fitness. It’s obsession. It’s the daily discipline, the meticulous diet, the cold recovery plunges, the sleepless nights studying defenders.

This is why, when he does miss a penalty, Portugal collectively shrugs and says: “He’s earned that.”

Portugal’s golden balance under Roberto Martínez

The irony is that even with Ronaldo missing a penalty, Portugal are still flying. Under Roberto Martínez, the team has found a new blend — experience meets flair.

Ruben Dias anchors the backline. Bruno Fernandes orchestrates midfield with surgical precision. Rafael Leão terrorises defenders on the left, while João Félix and Vitinha add that creative spark.

And at the heart of it all, Ronaldo still leads — not just as a striker, but as a symbol of continuity.

Martínez has managed to modernise Portugal without disrespecting its icons. The team looks sharper, hungrier, and more balanced than in years. With qualification for the 2026 World Cup all but sealed, the dream of seeing Ronaldo lift the one trophy that has eluded him — the World Cup — doesn’t seem far-fetched anymore.

“Before thinking about 2026, we must stay humble and finish qualifying,” said Veiga. “We know our quality, but we take it game by game.”

It’s a cliché, but one Ronaldo himself would endorse. After all, no one knows better than him that football careers are built one match at a time.

The penalty miss that didn’t matter

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In the end, that missed penalty will fade from memory — overshadowed by Ruben Neves’ late heroics and Portugal’s march toward another major tournament.

But in a way, it revealed something more valuable than another goal for Ronaldo: it showed his humanity.

He apologised. He cared. He felt the weight of the miss, even though he didn’t have to. And that — perhaps more than any record — is why the Portuguese people adore him.

They don’t just love the goals. They love the man who refuses to give up, the man who keeps pushing, keeps believing, and keeps giving everything for the red and green shirt.

When Ronaldo misses, Portugal doesn’t point fingers. They remind him — and the world — that he’s given them decades of joy.

And as long as he keeps wearing that captain’s armband, no missed penalty can change that.

Still the standard — still the story

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss more penalties before he retires. He’ll probably score a few hat-tricks too. That’s football. But the story of Ronaldo isn’t about perfection — it’s about persistence.

In a sport obsessed with statistics, trophies, and comparisons, he’s remained something greater than numbers: an icon of endurance.

So no, Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have to apologise for anything.

Not for a missed penalty, not for growing older, not for chasing one last dream.

Because when it comes to Portugal, he’s not just a player. He’s the heartbeat of a generation — the GOAT who still refuses to stop.