Inevitably, Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal's penalty taker for World Cup 2022 - self-belief has always been a vital attribute for any penalty taker to possess and few have as much confidence as the forward.
From a young age, the Portugal captain was determined to be one of the world’s best players and devoted his life to turning that dream into reality. A wealth of team and individual honours, including five Ballons d’Or, have followed for Ronaldo who has cemented his reputation as one of the greatest of all time.
Even now, at the age of 37, and about to take part in his fifth World Cup, the Portugal team continues to be built around his incredible goalscoring talents.
Ronaldo has more internationals goals than anyone else in the history of men’s football, with 117 from 189 appearances. Over the years, many have come from the penalty spot, including three at last summer’s Euros, but there have been some notable misses too.
Ronaldo has failed to convert seven penalties for Portugal, most recently in a World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland – Gavin Bazunu making a handy save. He was also denied at the last World Cup and Euro 2016, which turned out to be a mere footnote as Fernando Santos’ side went on to win the tournament.
Regardless, his record isn't exactly bad. In 174 penalties taken for club and country across his career, Ronaldo has scored 145 and missed 29, giving him a conversion record of 83.3 per cent.
Although Ronaldo is no longer a guaranteed starter at club level, with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag preferring a more youthful and dynamic forward line, he remains Portugal’s star man.
There’s fierce competition for attacking spots but vanishingly little chance that Ronaldo doesn’t continue to lead the line, barring injuries.
At United, he faced a tussle with Bruno Fernandes over penalty-taking duties but the playmaker has only ever taken one for his country.
With Ronaldo missing from the squad, Fernandes scored late on against Qatar after Diogo Jota was fouled in the box.
