Cristiano Ronaldo Discusses Mental Health Challenges Following Missed Penalties

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed the intense mental struggles he experienced after missing scoring opportunities, especially penalties, during his career. The Portuguese legend, who recently turned 40, opened up about how his relentless pursuit of perfection on the pitch impacted his mental wellbeing off the field.

Ronaldo described isolating himself in a dark room and refusing to eat dinner after failing to score. He admitted to berating himself harshly, saying things like “Why did you shoot right instead of left? You’re so stupid.” The footballer explained that in his early career, he found it extremely difficult to separate his on-field performance from his personal life.

“I remember in Madrid, if I missed a chance or a penalty, I would lock myself in my room furious with myself,” Ronaldo shared. “I wouldn’t allow myself to fail. I’d lie in bed skipping dinner and talk to myself with the lights off. I was obsessed.”

Despite learning to better manage these feelings over time, Ronaldo still experiences intense emotions around his performance, as evidenced by his tearful reaction to a saved penalty at Euro 2024. However, with 923 goals for club and country to his name, the striker remains convinced of his status as the greatest player of all time.

“I’m the best player in history, period,” Ronaldo stated confidently. “I’m fast, strong, I score with my head and both feet. No one has ever been more complete than me. You may prefer Pele, Messi or Maradona, and I respect that. But the numbers don’t lie.”

Ronaldo’s candid revelations offer a glimpse into the immense pressure top athletes place on themselves and the potential mental health impacts of striving for perfection in professional sports.