The Internet Draws Parallels Between Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Homelander (And It’s Really Confusing)

UEFA Euro 2024 is currently underway, and for sports enthusiasts (like myself), Portugal advanced to the quarter-finals with a controversial penalty victory over Slovenia. However, our focus here is on Portugal’s star player, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo remains a sports icon, nearing the twilight of his illustrious career at 39 years old, yet he continues to wield significant influence. In the recent match against Slovenia, Ronaldo’s commanding presence was evident, though some may argue his ego played a role.

Following his performance in the Last 16 match against Slovenia, Ronaldo is now being likened to The Boys villain Homelander for his reactions and behavior both on and off the field. Memes are flooding in, and it’s clear there’s a satirical connection that would make The Boys proud.

Portugal topped Group F with 6 points and faced Slovenia, who made history by advancing from Group C with three draws. Portugal was favored, but Slovenia’s solid defense and missed chances kept the match tense. Despite two clear opportunities, Slovenia couldn’t capitalize and eventually lost on penalties (0:3). Despite their defeat, Slovenia’s performance against a top team like Portugal was commendable.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains a focal point, eager to score in the tournament. Despite taking three free kicks and a penalty, all were unsuccessful, including a save by Slovenia’s Jan Oblak, one of the top goalkeepers currently playing.

His persistent efforts, often at the expense of teammates like Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, both elite players, drew comparisons to Homelander. Like the character, Ronaldo seems unwilling to accept his declining abilities and insists on maintaining a central role, overshadowing others on the team. His demeanor and reactions mirror Homelander’s belief that he deserves adulation, regardless of his performance.

Numerous memes have humorously juxtaposed Ronaldo and Homelander, highlighting their similarities. Here’s a collection of some of the best ones:

One fan even went as far as creating an impressive deepfake video, which garnered attention for its creativity and execution.

While the satire is certainly exaggerated, many sports fans recognize there’s a grain of truth in it. Perhaps a bit of humility from Ronaldo could go a long way for him and the team.

Have thoughts to share? Drop them in the comments below!