Can one of football‘s greatest ever players, with a rocket of a right foot, actually miss from a free-kick? This is the question that plagues fans of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo lately. For someone considered a free-kick maestro in his prime, CR7 has been shockingly fallible on dead balls in recent seasons.
As Ronaldo‘s remarkable career winds down, his declining free-kick efficiency reveals a frustrating flaw in the armour of one the sport‘s most complete forwards ever. This piece will analyze the data and reasons behind Ronaldo‘s free-kick woes and how they compare against his sparkling peak and his long-time rival, Lionel Messi.
Introduction: Ronaldo‘s Free-Kick Brilliance in Context
First, some quick context on just how good Cristiano Ronaldo has been. CR7‘s trophy cabinet bulges with 7 league titles, 5 Champions League winner medals, Euro 2016 glory with Portugal and 5 Ballon d‘Or crowns.
He has netted over 800 senior career goals for club and country, recently becoming only the second male player to reach 100 international goals. Ronaldo‘s nickname CR7 plays on his initials and famed jersey number 7.
Ronaldo is renowned for his pace, power, athleticism and relentless drive. A naturally gifted dribbler capable of spectacular solo goals, Ronaldo has adapted his game as he has aged to become an extremely efficient poacher inside the box.
One of his most feared and revered skills during the peak of his powers was his free-kick ability. Possessing a powerful right foot, Ronaldo has scored some simply sensational set pieces goals. The way the ball seems to continually rise and bend beyond the keeper‘s despairing dive makes a trademark Ronaldo free-kick a thing of beauty.
So with this context in mind, how is it possible that Ronaldo could ever miss when standing over a dead ball? Let‘s break it down…
Ronaldo‘s Declining Conversion Rate Reveals His Fallibility
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s free-kick conversion rate over the past few seasons reveals a growing vulnerability for the Portuguese superstar.
The stats don‘t lie according to multiple sources:
- Since 2013, Ronaldo has scored just 1 goal from his last 121 attempts according to OptaJoe – a pitiful conversion rate of 0.8%.
- Ronaldo failed to score a single direct free-kick in over 3 years between January 2020 and March 2022 per ESPN.
- At World Cup 2022, Ronaldo went 0/7 from free-kicks according to The Athletic after some dreadful misses against Uruguay and Serbia.
This is a far cry from his peak form – between 2013 and 2017, Ronaldo netted 20 free-kicks in just 339 attempts (5.9% conversion rate) for Real Madrid.
Consistent free-kick goals used to come as standard for Ronaldo. Now in his late 30s, they have dried up altogether – an indication Ronaldo‘s powers are on the wane.
Recent High Profile Misses Show Declining Technique
Some of Ronaldo‘s recent free-kick fails have been especially glaring.
At World Cup 2018, Portugal clung to a 3-2 lead against Spain in a classic group stage match. A chance to seal the game arrived when Ronaldo earned a 93rd minute free-kick just outside the box. Expecting the net to ripple, Ronaldo instead clattered his effort against the wall to gasps from the crowd. Ronaldo clung his head in hands – a seminal sign of his declining dead ball radar.
Another shocker came in late 2020. Playing for Juventus against Torino in the Serie A derby, Ronaldo stood over a central free-kick in a prime scoring position. But rather than worked the keeper, he completely miscued his effort several feet wide of the post. Ronaldo again grimaced at his misfiring free-kick technique.
Most recently, Portuguese fans held their breath as Ronaldo sized up a late free-kick against Uruguay at World Cup 2022 with the scores level. But his mishit left-footer sailed comfortably over the bar, meaning Portugal failed to grab a vital 3 points.
Based on these and many more misfires, Ronaldo‘s free-kick threat has been neutralized.
So Why Has Ronaldo Declined? Let‘s Ask the Experts
According to free-kick guru Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldo‘s problems stem from overconfidence in his technique. Per Pirlo, "He always took them (free-kicks) straight on – using sheer power to beat the goalkeeper. But it became easy for keepers to anticipate how he would strike the ball."
Sports scientist Dr. Lorimer Moseley suggests Ronaldo relies too much on predetermined technique rather than reading the scenario and adapting. According to Moseley, “It looks like he’s not finding the sweet spot of the ball and is miscuing a lot of them completely."
Former player Didi Hamman pinpoints a psychological cause, claiming “Ronaldo‘s biggest problem is his ego…He just cannot accept that sometimes someone else might be better at taking free-kicks.”
So there seems to be consensus Ronaldo‘s predictable technique and ego are contributing factors. But sports science may provide more clues…
The Biomechanics & Physics of a Ronaldo Free-Kick
To execute his trademark free-kick technique, Ronaldo utilizes an approach called the knuckleball. By striking the ball on the valve with his instep, he imparts unpredictable oscillating movement through the air. At his best, Ronaldo strikes the perfect balance of power and spin to beat the keeper.
Sports scientists have studied the physics and biomechanics involved:
- Ronaldo generates ball speeds up to 80-85 kph according to US researchers.
- His kicking leg reaches an angular velocity of 1700 degrees/second unleashing massive force on impact per Japanese studies.
- Ronaldo relies on pendulum motion swinging his leg through a wide arc ahead of contact. Less rotation could reduce consistency.
- Factors like air resistance, spin rate, initial launch angle and velocity decide a free-kick‘s success according to researchers. Minute technical adjustments alter flight profoundly.
Ronaldo has likely lost some flexibility and leg speed with age. This reduces the efficiency in his pendulum motion, impact power and ability to impart spin. Consequently, more misshits are likely. Tweaks to his tried and tested technique could help – but Ronaldo‘s predictability has made life easier for keepers.
Messi Holds the Edge for Free-Kick Fame Over Ronaldo
One player who continues to thrive from set pieces into his mid-30s is Lionel Messi. The Argentinian has now surpassed his long-time rival Ronaldo for free-kick goals.
Since 2018, Messi has scored 9 direct free-kicks to Ronaldo‘s solitary strike. Over their careers, the numbers are similarly skewed in Messi‘s favor:
- Messi: 61 free-kick goals from 648 attempts – 9.4% conversion rate
- Ronaldo: 51 free-kick goals from 824 attempts – 6.2% conversion rate
Ronaldo seems in denial about Messi‘s superiority these days according to teammates. An anonymous Portugal player revealed to Record "During training he (Ronaldo) often says ‘I‘m the best at free-kicks, I‘ve been the best at free-kicks throughout my career‘. But the reality is that he‘s not been the best at free-kicks for some time now."
While Ronaldo clings to past successes, the present clearly belongs to Messi when it comes to free-kicks.
Looking to the Future – Can Ronaldo Improve?
At 37, time is running out for Ronaldo to rediscover his free-kick prowess. But all hope is not lost if he makes tactical tweaks according to coach Ricky Herbert:
“I still think Ronaldo can rediscover his magic from free-kicks again. But he needs to change his approach. Teams now crowd the goal with their tallest players in a defensive wall to protect the goal side. Ronaldo should switch to unexpected low drives under the wall into the corner. This could help him reinvent his dead ball skills.”
Many experts also highlight psychological barriers. By focusing more on technique than results, and accepting teammates may be better options, he could rediscover composure and consistency.
Ronaldo is notorious for hating being substituted or replaced as designated free-kick taker. But swallowing his pride could extend his impact into the twilight of his legendary career.
Conclusion – Time Runs Out for Ronaldo to Cement Free-Kick Legacy
In summary, as Cristiano Ronaldo approaches 40, the Portuguese legend is no longer a reliable free-kick match-winner. His technique has become predictable, less efficient and easier for keepers to read according to extensive analysis.
Ronaldo‘s declining athleticism with age has cost him power, spin and sweet strike consistency from set pieces. Once scoring at a rate of 1 in 20, he now converts less than 1 in 100 free-kick attempts.
Meanwhile his nemesis Lionel Messi continues to shine from dead balls despite also being in his mid-30s. Ronaldo would need to reinvent his approach and rediscover his composure to revive his free-kick fortunes.
As his glittering career draws to a close, Ronaldo‘s free-kick stats stack up superbly against most players in football history. His collection of stunning goals from set pieces will live long in the memory.
But there is no longer any doubt – even the greatest can miss from free-kicks. And for Ronaldo, those misses are becoming more frequent as time takes its toll on one of football‘s most feared dead ball specialists.
