Cristiano Ronaldo misses penalty and says he does not plan to return to Portugal
One day after a 30-day suspension and €255 fine from the Portuguese Football Federation, Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty for Al-Nassr against Neom.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a difficult evening on October 20, 2026: the 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward missed a penalty in the Saudi Pro League match against Neom, just one day after the Portuguese Football Federation imposed disciplinary measures on him.
Journalist Rui Santos published that Ronaldo currently does not plan to return to the Portugal national team. According to those reports, his presence at the next national-team gathering is "almost impossible" because he feels he was treated unfairly and that the truth was withheld from him.
Disciplinary measures and immediate fallout
The Portuguese Football Federation handed Ronaldo a 30-day suspension and a fine of 255 euros. Media reports note that, because the suspension is counted from the day of the offence, the ban will not force him to miss an international match.
The missed spot-kick came during Al-Nassr's league game with Neom in Saudi Arabia. A clip shared on social media captured the moment; a post by Pablo Giralt summed it up bluntly: "CRISTIANO RONALDO MISSED THE PENALTY."
Ronaldo, who is one of the most closely watched figures in world football, now faces questions about his short-term club form and the future of his international career after a run-in with his federation and the failed penalty.
There has been no public reversal of his stance or announcement of a return to the national team as of October 20, 2026.
Photo: press material from the event
