How Many Controversial Goals Has Ronaldo Scored? Three Incidents to Know

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored hundreds of goals for club and country, but not every goal credited to him has escaped controversy. From apparent offside decisions to disputes over who actually scored, some of his goals have sparked arguments among football fans.

The debate has resurfaced following a recent incident involving Al Nassr, where a goal initially credited to Ronaldo was later recorded as an own goal by an opposing defender.

So, how many controversial goals has the Portuguese forward benefited from during his career?

There is no official record providing a complete figure. However, incidents involving Real Madrid and Al Nassr offer examples of why some of his goals remain disputed.

1. Ronaldo’s two disputed goals against Bayern Munich

One of the biggest controversies came in April 2017, when Real Madrid faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Real Madrid won the second leg 4-2 after extra time, with Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick to help his team progress.

However, replays suggested that Ronaldo was offside when he scored his second and third goals. Both efforts stood, despite protests from Bayern players.

The decisions proved crucial. Real Madrid advanced to the semi-finals, while Bayern were eliminated from the competition.

The match remains one of the most prominent examples of Ronaldo benefiting from disputed officiating decisions.

2. The Al Nassr goal later recorded as an own goal

A more recent controversy emerged during Al Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al Faisaly in October 2026.

Ronaldo appeared to score after João Félix delivered a free kick into the penalty area. However, the ball struck Al Faisaly defender Andrei Girotto before entering the net.

The Saudi Pro League initially credited Ronaldo with the goal. Several football statistics platforms, including Opta, instead recorded it as an own goal.

The disagreement matters because Ronaldo is pursuing the milestone of 1,000 career goals. If the strike is counted as an own goal, it does not increase his individual tally.

Unlike the Bayern Munich incident, however, this dispute concerns who scored rather than whether the referee should have allowed the goal.

3. How many controversial goals has Ronaldo scored?

The two disputed goals against Bayern Munich provide examples of efforts that appeared to be offside but were allowed to stand. The Al Nassr incident presents a different case, involving disagreement over the identity of the scorer.

Other incidents could involve suspected handballs, fouls before a goal or questionable refereeing decisions. Establishing a reliable total would require examining each disputed goal and the evidence surrounding it.

For now, there is no verified career-wide count of Ronaldo’s controversial goals.

What is clear is that some of his most important goals have generated arguments that extend beyond the scoreline. Whether those incidents amount to a significant pattern across his career remains an open question.