The conflict between the BBC and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo escalated when the news agency used the phrase “Misstiano Penaldo” – roughly translated as “Ronaldo missed a penalty” – to mock the player. In response to criticism, the BBC had to issue a statement affirming that they did not mean to disrespect Ronaldo.

Ronaldo in tears after missing a penalty and this is why he was ridiculed by BBC

Ronaldo’s power and influence on the world media and social networks is too great. Hundreds of millions of fans of this star are more than enough to create a tsunami to lift their idol to the highest peak or drown out all those who criticize the person they worship.

The BBC’s satirical pun about Ronaldo and his missed penalty at EURO 2024 has sparked a backlash from the crowd. The BBC insists they “always respect” Cristiano Ronaldo but can’t say anything about the way they flashed his name across the screen: Misstiano Penaldo.

The news agency also listed their “favorable” articles for Ronaldo, to show that they never had any ill will towards the player who shed tears after missing a penalty. But for the crowd, that was never enough and was not a “mitigating factor”.

Responding to a wave of complaints about Ronaldo’s penalty miss, the BBC insisted “no offence was intended”. The pun appeared in a video analysis last Monday, after Ronaldo cried after missing a penalty in Portugal’s last-16 win over Slovenia.

Ronaldo had his penalty saved by Oblak in the round of 16 match

Former England defender John Terry was among the first to voice his disapproval when the caption “Misstiano Penaldo” appeared on footage of Ronaldo’s penalty. The former Chelsea captain, who missed the crucial penalty in the 2008 Champions League final shootout, posted on his Instagram: “BBC, this is a disgrace!”

A number of other viewers then complained directly to the BBC, prompting executives to respond that “the caption was intended as a pun, something we have done many times before on our Match of the Day analysis graphics”.

“There was no insult intended against Cristiano Ronaldo. In fact, throughout the show, we spoke positively about Ronaldo, including:

1. During the pre-match build-up, Jose Fonte highlighted Ronaldo’s dedication in training, saying that is why he is one of the best players ever. 

2. In the first half, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer analysed Ronaldo’s movement at length, praising it as absolutely fantastic.

3. After the penalty shootout, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer both mentioned Ronaldo’s courage and confidence in stepping up and taking the penalty.

Ronaldo’s disappointment after missing a penalty

At no time were the pundits overly critical of Ronaldo and the tone of the programme was always respectful of him. However, we appreciate that some viewers were unhappy with the image and feedback has been passed on to the production team,” the BBC said in a statement.

The same evening the penalty was awarded, Gary Lineker shared a doctored image of Ronaldo crying with the former England striker looking at it on social media X. Portugal eventually beat Slovenia in a penalty shootout, with Ronaldo scoring the first. However, in the quarter-finals, Portugal were eliminated by France on penalties.

Ronaldo fans were outraged by the insulting remarks about their idol and took to social media to express their anger. Ronaldo and Portugal’s elimination from EURO 2024, also on penalties, made the keyword even more hot and prone to attacks on the BBC. 

Apparently, the BBC foolishly poked a hornet’s nest with its bare hands.