Cristiano Ronaldo’s name is often met with two contrasting reactions: admiration… and ridicule. One nickname cuts deeper than most: “Penaldo.” In this article, TigerKick dives into the origins, controversies, statistics, and the real weight behind why Ronaldo is called Penaldo — and whether his critics have any ground to stand on.
What Is “Penaldo” And How Did It Start
The term “Penaldo” is a portmanteau of penalty + Ronaldo, and it’s used mockingly by critics who claim many of his goals come from spot-kicks. It implies that his goal-scoring is inflated by penalty conversions rather than open-play brilliance.
This nickname isn’t new — it has circulated especially among rival fans, detractors, and in social media. The idea: Ronaldo is a “penalty specialist,” not a natural goalscorer in the mold of “true” attackers. Over time, the label stuck and resurfaces whenever he scores, Penaldo depends on half-truths and selective exaggeration. To truly assess it, we must dig into the stats behind Ronaldo’s penalties — and compare them to his non-penalty performance.
Ronaldo’s Penalty Record — The Cold, Hard Numbers
To understand whether Penaldo is fair or unfair, we need to check data. Here are the key figures:
Ronaldo was the first-ever player to convert more than 150 penalties in top-level competition (club + country).
- -, he has netted over 182 penalties over his career, boasting a success rate in the ~85 % range.
- In career totals combining club and international football, Ronaldo’s penalty conversions remain a significant fraction of his overall goal tally.
- One source reports Ronaldo has taken ~193 penalties, scoring ~163, meaning 30 misses.
- In match-by-match tracking, Ronaldo’s career stats show 178 successful penalties and 33 missed, along with many non-penalty goals. sivsRonaldo.app])
These numbers show Ronaldo is among the most prolific and reliable penalty-takers in football history.
How Much of Ronaldo’s Total Goals Come From Penalties?
One big gripe behind the Penaldo label is the idea that many of his goals are from penalties — minimizing the value of his “open-play” goals. Let’s break this down:
- Ronaldo’s total goal count across clubs and national team is usually given as 800–900+.
- Taking 182 penalties (for example) out of that, they represent perhaps ~20–25 % (or less, depending on actual total and data source) of his goals.
- When comparing to Lionel Messi, critics often point out Messi has fewer penalties proportionally.
- But subtracting penalties, Ronaldo still scores hundreds of goals in open play — enough to remain among world’s elite scorers.
In short: yes, penalties are a notable part of his total, but they do not fully define his scoring record.
Defense, Criticism & Ronaldo’s Response
Why Critics Use It
- The term Penaldo attaches whenever Ronaldo scores a penalty, especially if he isn’t doing much else in a match.
- Fans of rivals or purists may feel open-play goals are more “worthy.”
- It’s a rhetorical tool: diminish his achievements by implying he blossoms only under the “easy” conditions of a penalty.
Ronaldo’s Rebuttal
Ronaldo has occasionally addressed the nickname, telling critics to “look at the statistics.” He’s leaned on his scoring records, consistency, and conversion rates to refute claims that he’s a mere penalty merchant.
He often lets goals speak — many have come outside the box, through headers, long-range strikes, and in big moments.
Where the Term Fails
- It ignores the psychological pressure of penalty kicks in high-stakes moments.
- It lumps all goals into binaries: penalty vs “real,” which undervalues both forms.
- It selectively amplifies penalty goals while downplaying open-play brilliance.
- It assumes adversarial intent: many critics use it more as banter than serious analysis.
Examples & IconPenalties That Fuel the Debate
- In June 2025, Ronaldo missed a penalty early in a Nations League match vs Denmark, despite being awarded a Guinness World Record prior to the match.
- Over his career, he’s lost or missed dozens of penalties — even the best have failures. ssivsRonaldo.app])
- But for every miss, there are countless crucial conversions: in league deciders, Champions League games, and international tournaments.
These moments serve as fodder. Supporters highlight the successes, detractors zero in on misses — a push-pull that keeps Penaldo in circulation.
Verdict: Is “Penaldo” Fair?
Given the data and context, here’s how to parse whether why Ronaldo is called Penaldo is fair — and where it goes too far:
- Partially fair, because penalties are a real and significant part of his goal tally.
- Unfair, because it dismisses his ability, his non-penalty goals, and the difficulty of executing penalties under pressure.
- Oversimplified, because football performance can’t be reduced to a single metric.
- Persistent, because nicknames stick in online culture long after logic leaves the room.
In reality, Ronaldo is neither just a penalty-scorer nor immune to criticism. He is a complete forward who has balanced penalty mastery with open-play excellence.
Final Thoughts
Why Ronaldo called Penaldo is a question rooted in rivalry, memes, and selective perception. But beneath the noise lies a more nuanced truth: Ronaldo does score many penalties. Yet those penalties don’t overshadow the hundreds of goals he’s netted in open play,, long-range strikes, poacher finishes, and more.
Penalties require nerve, technique, and composure — qualities Ronaldo has shown in spades. The dismissive nickname can’t erase his legacy. And for fans and critics alike, understanding the stats offers clarity beyond just tagging him.
If you enjoyed this deep dive into why Ronaldo is called Penaldo, TigerKick has plenty more waiting: player biographies, match analyses, top-10 lists, and transfer news. Stay tuned, keep reading, and don’t let a meme define a legend.
