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Cristiano Ronaldo Misses Penalty But Immediately Redeems Himself with Stunning Curler Against Al Fateh
Reuters via Imagn Images

Oh, Cristiano Ronaldo. Just when you think the man might be losing his edge at 39, he goes and pulls off something that makes you question everything you know about aging in sports. Sure, he fluffed a penalty against Al Fateh like some nervous rookie, but what happened next? Pure magic that reminded everyone why he’s still the most talked-about player on the planet.

Ronaldo’s Penalty Miss Sets Up Redemption Story

Let’s be honest here – watching Ronaldo miss from the spot felt weird. The Portuguese superstar stepped up after Al Fateh committed a handball in the box, and for a brief moment, it looked like we might witness one of those rare CR7 failures. His right-footed effort was saved, and you could almost hear the collective gasp from Al Nassr fans wondering if their golden boy was finally showing his age.

But here’s the thing about Ronaldo – the man doesn’t stay down. Ever. It’s like he’s physically incapable of accepting defeat, even for thirty seconds.

The Spectacular Response That Silenced Doubters

What followed the penalty miss was absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way. On the very next play, Ronaldo received a perfectly weighted pass from Sadio Mane (because of course it was Mane) and unleashed a right-footed thunderbolt from outside the box that curled into the top right corner like it was guided by GPS.

The keeper didn’t even move. He just stood there, probably wondering what he did in a past life to deserve that kind of treatment. It was the type of strike that makes you forget about missed penalties and remember why this guy has been terrorizing goalkeepers for over two decades.

Al Nassr’s Dominance Continues Under Ronaldo’s Leadership

This wasn’t just about individual brilliance, though Ronaldo certainly provided plenty of that. The goal shifted the entire momentum of the match, giving Al Nassr the confidence and control they needed to dominate possession against a relegation-threatened Al Fateh side.

The Portuguese connection was firing on all cylinders too, with Joao Felix putting in another stellar performance that had fans wondering if this Al Nassr squad might just be the most entertaining team to watch right now. When you’ve got Ronaldo doing Ronaldo things and Felix pulling the strings, it’s hard not to get excited about what this team can accomplish.

Historic Milestone Reached at Age 39

Here’s where things get absolutely bonkers – that gorgeous curler wasn’t just a redemption goal. It marked Ronaldo’s 800th career goal at club level. Eight. Hundred. Goals. At 39 years old. While most players his age are contemplating retirement or accepting reduced roles, this maniac is out here reaching milestones that seemed impossible just a few years ago.

The goal also pushed his overall tally to 949 goals across club and international competitions. We’re legitimately watching someone chase 1,000 career goals, and honestly? The way he’s playing right now, it doesn’t seem like a question of if, but when.

The Pursuit of Perfection Never Ends

What’s genuinely fascinating about Ronaldo is how he’s managed to maintain this level of excellence while adapting his game. Sure, he might not be the explosive winger who terrorized Premier League fullbacks fifteen years ago, but this version – the one who can miss a penalty and immediately bounce back with a worldie – might be even more compelling to watch.

His chemistry with Mane and Felix is developing beautifully, creating an attacking trio that could genuinely challenge for major honors both domestically and in continental competition. Al Nassr aren’t just benefiting from Ronaldo’s goals; they’re feeding off his refusal to accept anything less than perfection.

The man missed a penalty and responded by scoring one of the goals of the season. That’s not just talent – that’s a mentality that separates legends from mere mortals.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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