Many players consider it an honor to be compared to superheroes. However, it would be different if a player were to be likened to the fictional America's beloved superhero, Homelander, from the TV show The Boys.
Two worlds collided this week as The Boys gets mixed with football talks in the ongoing Euro 2024.
The show's integration is mainly about Cristiano Ronaldo and his team, Portugal, who are through to the competition's quarterfinals after a hard-fought win against Slovenia.
For the uninitiated, The Boys is about a group of vigilantes trying to take down superpowered individuals and a corporation that sells the latter as saviors of society despite the contrary.
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Homelander, played by Anthony Starr, is the prominent leader of those superpower individuals. He is not a hero, but fictional America believes so. He is egotistic, manipulative, cunning, and brutal. He is willing to sacrifice innocent lives as long as he is in control and on top.
The internet is trying to dunk on long-time Portugal leader Cristiano Ronaldo as his team struggles to find their full form in the Euro 2024. They have reached the quarterfinals and are set to face tournament favorites France after barely surviving Slovenia.
When did the Cristiano Ronaldo-Homelander comparison start?
First, the facts. Cristiano Ronaldo is already 39 years old and has been the undisputed leader of the Portugal national football team for more than a decade. That's where the similarity between Homelander and CR7 stops based on profile. Cristiano hasn't killed anyone either, at least based on public records.
The football field and team dynamics are where The Boys fans and Ronaldo haters are having a field day. It happened during their win against Slovenia in the Round of 16. They came in as favorites based on rankings. CR7 took the hard-earned penalty in the 105th minute while still in a 0-0 deadlock. Jan Oblak blocked him.
He was seen ugly-crying after the miss. Before that, he also took three free-kicks but never found the back of the net in those attempts. Conversations would have been different if he had made it.
Now, we're here. Critics said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner should have allowed younger, more capable players to take the penalty. However, his ego got in the way. They think Bruno Fernandes should have taken the penalty, but how can they insist on it if Homelander is the leader?
The match went to the penalty shootout, and Portugal won by converting their three shots. However, Diogo Costa was the team's hero with his three sensational blocks.
Not fair for Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo will probably not pay attention to those memes, but let us still humor them.
However, one can also argue that they are being too pushy with their agenda regarding Ronaldo's egotism.
Everyone on the team knows he is still the most experienced player in the squad, and taking the spotlight should be automatic for someone who sent Portugal to a Euro 2016 victory.
He has the most caps (211) and most goals (130) in the country's national team history.
Members of the squad have spoken about their faith in Ronaldo and how they feel honored to be led by them.
The coach also designated him as the penalty taker because he knows CR7's capability.
Related article: UEFA Euro 2024 Portugal vs Slovenia: Cristiano Ronaldo Explains Emotions After Penalty Miss
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