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Xtra Time Web Desk: Cristiano Ronaldo's career has been nothing short of phenomenal, let's be clear about that. From his early days at Sporting CP, where he first showed the world his prodigious talent, to his legendary stints at Manchester United and Real Madrid, Ronaldo is, and will always be, one of the greatest players the world has ever seen.

However, as with all great sporting careers, there comes a time when even the brightest stars begin to fade. Some will argue that happened during his second spell at Man United, but most recently, it's been on display for the entire world to see, from the FIFA World Cup 2022 to this Euro 2024. Things came to a head in the Round of 16 clash with Slovenia, as Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty in extra time. He was clearly emotionally devastated, so much so that tears began to flow. Fortunately for him, his goalkeeper Diogo Costa pulled off a masterclass in the penalty shootout, and Portugal reached the quarterfinals.

Read More: Euro Cup 2024: Diogo Costa’s hattrick saves in the penalty helps Portugal defeat Slovenia to reach quarter finals!

No player at the 2024 European Championship has attempted more shots than Ronaldo, yet he is still without a goal. His tournament took a somber turn when he missed from the spot in extra time against Slovenia, a moment that shocked TV viewers around the world. The miss was a rare sight for someone of his caliber and a poignant reminder that even the greatest athletes are not immune to the passage of time. Ronaldo was reduced to tears, reminiscent of the 2022 World Cup when Portugal were eliminated. His head bowed in disappointment is a stark contrast to the countless moments of joy and triumph he has given to fans worldwide.

The tears of Cristiano Ronaldo, by Jan Oblak. https://t.co/NNItSDPv5n pic.twitter.com/wgExIwkTZQ

— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (IG:twdbk3) (@sluggahjells) July 1, 2024

The game between Portugal and Slovenia then went to a penalty shootout, where Ronaldo showed his remarkable character by stepping up and slotting past Jan Oblak perfectly. Costa, Portugal's goalkeeper, made three sensational saves, and both Ronaldo and Portugal live to see another day at the 2024 European Championship.

That said, his tournament has still been one of disappointment so far. And his personal stats do not make the kind of reading you would expect from arguably the greatest player of his generation. Ronaldo's xG stats are not too kind on the eye. He has scored zero goals from 2.66 xG at Euro 2024 so far. He'll know more than anyone that he must improve if he's to lead them to another European Championship title. The Portuguese striker’s penalty in extra time was his 19th shot at the tournament, and for all that effort, he still has zero goals to show for it.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s shotmap at #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/coQ3RCuwSm

— FotMob (@FotMob) July 1, 2024

Throughout his career, the 39-year-old has taken 195 penalties, successfully converting 165 of them and missing 30. That works out at an impressive penalty conversion rate of 84.5%, which makes his miss even more shocking. He had scored his previous 24 penalty kicks, including shootouts.

Read More: Euro Cup 2024: Belgian defender’s own goal gives France a ticket to the quarter-finals!

History was against goalkeeper Oblak as Ronaldo stepped up to take his first penalty—won after Diogo Jota was bundled into in the box. The pair know each other incredibly well following their encounters in LaLiga and the Champions League between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Oblak has come up against the frontman 20 times, during which Ronaldo scored 11 regular-time goals past him.

Cristiano Ronaldo's drastic downfall since the FIFA World Cup 2022 to this Euro Cup 2024 has been a painful watch for his fans and team. Once a relentless goal machine, Ronaldo has struggled to deliver when it matters most, leaving a legacy marked by recent disappointments. Despite his immense talent and storied career, this twilight period serves as a sobering reminder of the inevitable decline that even the greatest athletes face.