Cristiano Ronaldo, often hailed as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has showcased his goal-scoring prowess across multiple European leagues and competitions. Throughout his illustrious career, spanning clubs like Sporting Clube de Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, he has found the back of the net against a multitude of teams. However, a select few European clubs have managed to keep their defences impermeable to Ronaldo’s attacks. Interestingly, his current team is favoured to clinch the national league title, with bookmakers like Tonybet Canada offering competitive odds for every competition. Such a reputation underscores his ability to impact games, but even legends meet their match.
Sporting Clube de Portugal era
Cristiano Ronaldo began his professional journey with Sporting CP in Lisbon in the 2002-2003 season. During his brief tenure, he made 25 appearances and scored three goals. Given his nascent stage in top-flight football and limited exposure to European competitions, Ronaldo had few opportunities to face Europe’s elite teams. However, his promise was evident as he laid the foundation for a career that would dominate European football for the next two decades. Though his goal-scoring record in this period is modest, it reflects the early days of a player still honing his craft.
Manchester United tenure
Ronaldo’s move to Manchester United in 2003 marked his introduction to the English Premier League and prestigious European tournaments like the UEFA Champions League. While he was instrumental in United’s successes, certain European teams proved to be an enigma for him:
- Villarreal CF: Ronaldo faced the Spanish side four times in the Champions League during his initial stint with Manchester United, with all matches ending in draws. Despite his brilliance, Villarreal’s disciplined defence managed to neutralize him, resulting in a rare blank slate for the Portuguese forward.
- Celtic FC: Encounters with the Scottish club in the Champions League were notable for Manchester United’s collective dominance. However, Ronaldo personally struggled to break through Celtic’s defensive line. These matches highlighted how even strong teams like United could face difficulties against defensively resilient sides.
Real Madrid period
Ronaldo’s tenure at Real Madrid (2009-2018) was nothing short of prolific. He shattered records, scoring over 450 goals for the club and becoming the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League. Despite his extraordinary achievements, a few teams successfully kept him at bay:
- FC Barcelona: Despite the intense El Clásico rivalry, Ronaldo did not score against Barcelona in European competitions while at Real Madrid. While he netted multiple goals against Barça in La Liga and Copa del Rey, the Champions League remained a different story.
- Dinamo Zagreb: In the 2011-2012 Champions League group stage, Ronaldo faced the Croatian team but did not score in either fixture. This was a surprising anomaly considering Real Madrid’s overall dominance in the group.
- Legia Warsaw: During the 2016-2017 Champions League group stage, Ronaldo played against the Polish side but couldn’t add to his tally. Despite his efforts, the game ended in a surprising 3-3 draw, with Ronaldo failing to find the net.
- SSC Napoli: In the 2016-2017 Champions League Round of 16, Real Madrid faced Napoli. Ronaldo played both legs but was unable to breach the Italian club’s defence. Though Real Madrid advanced, his lack of goals stood out given his reputation for delivering in key moments.
Juventus chapter
When Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018, expectations were sky-high for him to continue his European dominance. While he delivered many memorable performances, certain teams again stood resilient:
- FC Porto: The 2020-2021 Champions League Round of 16 saw Juventus face Porto. Despite Ronaldo’s efforts, Porto eliminated Juventus, and Ronaldo left the field without a goal. This result was a significant upset and a rare disappointment in his illustrious European career.
