Football fans on social media have bemoaned Cristiano Ronaldo's poor free-kick conversion rate with the Portuguese forward squandering one such opportunity in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Olympique Lyonnias.
Since completing his switch from Madrid to Turin in 2018, the 34-year-old winger has been the prime candidate to line up behind every set-piece in goalscoring positions while executing them with his trademark knuckle kick. However, he is yet to claim the title as an ace executioner as he is yet to score a free-kick despite making a record-breaking 38 attempts.
The Portuguese striker's eagerness to take free-kicks has seen the likes of Paulo Dybala and Miralem Pjanic being underutilized in the department despite the duo boasting better conversion rates. Against Lyon, they watched on as the former Real Madrid star secured an unwanted record as he extended his non-scoring direct-free-kick run in the Champions League 25.
0/25 - Cristiano Ronaldo's last 25 direct free kick shots in the Champions League:
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) February 26, 2020
Pjanic?#OLJuve pic.twitter.com/KtkMtbqFM9
Although Ronaldo ranks as the player with the most goals from freekick in the Champions League, his latest feat does not sit well among some football fans who insist that he should hand over duty to other able personnel. Meanwhile, his Juventus side enters the second-leg of their Round of 16 tie with Lyon with a goal-deficit having failed to score at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Below are a few reactions from fans:
Ronaldo will hit down a hawk with his free-kicks soon!
— DICKSON(@Isaac_Effah_Dic) February 26, 2020
Surely there is a clause in Ronaldo's contract which guarantees him taking free kicks. Only explanation
— . (@Fehiintola) February 26, 2020
Since Cristiano Ronaldo signed for Juventus, he has taken 38 free-kicks.
— Ugochukwu Ifeanyi (@Ugo_Ifeanyi44) February 26, 2020
24 shots hit the wall
11 saved by the keeper
2 out of play
1 hit the crossbar
0 free-kicks scored in 38 attempts. Crazy stat.
Should Pjanic and Dybala take up the Free kick duties?#LyonJuventus pic.twitter.com/KtaaRk2FRu
Are we all going to pretend that Ronaldo isn't a better free kick taker than Pjanic. 25 shots. Blank.
— Kofi Opuni. (@frimpong_04) February 26, 2020
Also.. Can Ronaldo just hand over the free kick duties to Dybala and Pjanic... Like full time #LyonJuventus
— The Universe Listens (@ReinhardSherpa1) February 26, 2020
Fgs Ronaldo should allow Pjanic to be taking these free kicks now, this is disgraceful Abeg
— rest well grandma (@Natnai_) February 26, 2020
Us Juve fans have been saying this. CL, Serie A, doesn't matter... get Ronaldo off free kicks. Pjanic and Dybala should be the only ones allowed https://t.co/OAEW2SIB5w
— Clutch Caldarelli (@JDejuan2) February 26, 2020
The price of having Ronaldo on your team is telling Miralem Pjanić he can't take free kicks anymore and witnessing the joy leave his face
— wlohaty (@wlohaty) February 26, 2020
Kinda gas that Juve have Pjanic and Dybala to stand over a free kick yet Ronaldo gets to kick it at the wall every time
— S (@AnIrishCule) February 26, 2020
