In a surprising move during their live broadcast early this morning, BBC, the renowned British broadcasting corporation, referred to Cristiano Ronaldo with the derisive nickname “Misstiano Penaldo.” This came immediately after Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty kick during extra time in the match between Portugal and Slovenia.

The nickname, often used by critics to taunt Ronaldo whenever he misses penalty shots, sparked intense debates on social media. However, the use of such language by a major television channel like BBC drew widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike.

John Terry, a legend of Chelsea Football Club, condemned BBC’s actions, describing them as “utterly disgraceful” in a social media comment shortly after the incident.

Many current and former footballers have come out in support of Ronaldo, including his teammate at Al-Nassr, Sadio Mane, who affirmed Ronaldo’s greatness by stating, “He is still a great champion! CR7.”

Following the penalty miss, Ronaldo was visibly emotional and quickly comforted by his teammates. Despite this setback, the 39-year-old star confidently stepped up to take the first penalty shot in the subsequent shootout and successfully converted it. With goalkeeper Diogo Costa making three consecutive saves in the shootout, Portugal secured their spot in the quarter-finals of EURO 2024, where they will face the French national team.

The incident underscores the polarizing effect of Ronaldo’s performances and the passionate reactions they elicit, highlighting the delicate balance between sports journalism and respectful coverage.