Blog

In this post, we will check out the top 10 best penalty takers of all time.

Penalty kicks are one of the most crucial moments in any football match. It is an opportunity for a team to score a goal and get ahead of their opponents.

Over the years, there have been several remarkable penalty-takers who have shown an outstanding ability to score from the spot. Their precision and composure have often been the difference between winning or losing a game.

In this article, we will look at the top 10 best penalty takers of all time. These players have not only scored numerous goals from penalties, but they have also displayed exceptional technique, confidence, and mental toughness.

From legendary players to current superstars, this list includes some of the most feared penalty-takers in football history. So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the best penalty-takers of all time.

Top 10 Best Penalty Takers of All Time

10 Edinson Cavani

Edinson Cavani is a renowned Uruguayan footballer who is known for his exceptional goal-scoring abilities.

He has made a name for himself in the sport by being one of the Top 10 Best Penalty Takers of All Time. Cavani has displayed remarkable skill, technique, and accuracy while taking penalties, which has made him a valuable asset to his teams over the years.

Cavani has scored a total of 60 penalties out of 74 throughout his career, making him one of the most lethal penalty-takers in the world. His technique is impeccable, and he is known for his composure and precision while taking penalties.

He has the ability to place the ball in the exact position that he wants, leaving goalkeepers with little chance to save his shots.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Cavani’s penalty-taking abilities is his consistency. He has rarely missed a penalty throughout his career, which is a testament to his mental strength and concentration.

Cavani’s penalty-taking abilities have been crucial in many important matches for his clubs and his country. He has scored several match-winning penalties that have helped his team secure victories.

In conclusion, Edinson Cavani is undoubtedly one of the Top 10 Best Penalty Takers of All Time.

9 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, is not only an excellent scorer but also a master penalty-taker.

He has been consistent in his penalty-taking abilities, which is evident from his impressive record of converting penalties in both club and international football.

One of the reasons why Messi is considered one of the best penalty-takers of all time is his accuracy. He has an uncanny ability to place the ball precisely where he wants, making it difficult for the goalkeeper to save it.

Messi’s penalty technique is immaculate, and he often uses the inside of his foot to curl the ball into the top corner of the net.

Messi’s mental strength and composure are also noteworthy. He remains calm and composed under pressure and does not let the weight of expectation affect him. Messi has scored crucial penalties in important matches, including the UEFA Champions League and the Copa America.

Messi’s impressive penalty record is a testament to his skill and ability as a footballer, and he will continue to be a vital asset to any team he plays for.

8 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho, a former Brazilian football player, is considered one of the best penalty takers of all time. Known for his incredible skills and technique, he is a player who was feared by the opposition every time he stepped up to take a penalty.

Ronaldinho was known for his unique style of taking penalties, which involved him faking a shot and then quickly changing direction, causing the goalkeeper to dive in the wrong direction. This technique was incredibly effective, and he scored many goals using it.

Another reason Ronaldinho was such a successful penalty-taker was his composure under pressure. He was never afraid to step up and take a penalty, no matter how important the match was. He had the ability to remain calm and focused, even with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

During his career, Ronaldinho scored a total of 70 penalties out of 87, an impressive feat that puts him among the top 10 best penalty takers of all time.

7 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his penalty-taking abilities are one of the many reasons for this.

With a success rate of over 90% from the spot, he is undoubtedly one of the best penalty takers of all time.

Ibrahimovic’s penalty-taking skills have been honed over the course of his long and illustrious career, which has seen him play for some of the biggest clubs in the world.

From Ajax to Juventus, Barcelona to AC Milan, and PSG to Manchester United, he has consistently scored from the penalty spot, often with ease.

What sets Ibrahimovic apart from other penalty takers is his ability to read the goalkeeper’s movements and adjust his shot accordingly.

He has an uncanny knack for knowing where the goalkeeper is going to dive and can place the ball precisely where he wants it. This has resulted in some spectacular penalty goals that have left both fans and opposition players in awe.

Furthermore, Ibrahimovic is known for his mental strength and composure under pressure. He has taken crucial penalties in high-stakes matches, including Champions League games and crucial league fixtures, and has rarely missed.

In conclusion, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is undoubtedly one of the top 10 best penalty takers of all time.

6 Robin Van Persie

Robin Van Persie is a former Dutch professional footballer who played as a striker for top clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Feyenoord.

He is widely regarded as one of the best penalty takers of all time due to his excellent conversion rate from the spot.

Van Persie’s penalty-taking skills were a testament to his precision and composure. He scored 39 out of 46 penalties throughout his career, which is a success rate of 86%. He took penalties for both club and country, and he was equally effective in both scenarios.

The former Arsenal captain had a unique technique that involved a short run-up and a side-footed finish.

This technique allowed him to have maximum control over the ball and pick out the corners of the net with ease. His penalties were not only accurate but also powerful, making it hard for goalkeepers to save them.

His remarkable record from the spot and his unique technique have earned him a place among the top 10 best penalty takers of all time.

5 Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of the best footballers in the world. The Polish striker is known for his incredible skills on the field, particularly his goal-scoring ability. Over the years, he has become one of the best penalty-takers of all time, thanks to his excellent technique, composure, and accuracy.

Lewandowski has taken numerous penalties throughout his career, and he rarely misses. He has taken penalties for several clubs, including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and the Polish national team.

One of the things that set Lewandowski apart from other penalty-takers is his ability to stay calm and composed under pressure.

He is never fazed by the big moments, and he always steps up to take the penalty with confidence.

Lewandowski’s prowess from the penalty spot has earned him a place among the top 10 best penalty takers of all time.

4 Alessandro Del Piero

Alessandro Del Piero is undoubtedly one of the best football players to have ever graced the sport. The Italian forward was known for his incredible skill and finesse on the ball, and his ability to score goals in a variety of ways.

One of the areas where Del Piero truly excelled was in penalty taking. He was one of the most accurate and reliable penalty takers of all time, and his ability from the spot was a major reason for his success throughout his career.

Del Piero would often step up to the spot with cool confidence, and his technique was flawless. He would usually pick a corner and place the ball perfectly into the net, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance of making a save.

One of the things that made Del Piero such a great penalty taker was his ability to read the game and anticipate the movements of the goalkeeper.

He would often wait until the last possible moment to take his penalty, which meant that he could see where the goalkeeper was going and adjust his shot accordingly. This allowed him to score a high percentage of his penalties, even when the goalkeeper guessed the right way.

3 Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard is one of the most iconic and accomplished footballers of his generation. The former Liverpool midfielder is widely regarded as one of the best penalty-takers in football history.

His ability to keep his composure under immense pressure and convert from the spot has made him a hero for Liverpool fans and a respected figure in the footballing world.

Gerrard’s success rate from the penalty spot is a testament to his skills and precision. During his illustrious career, he took a total of 46 penalties and scored an impressive 55 of them.

This success rate is remarkable considering the pressure and expectation that comes with taking a penalty.

Gerrard’s prowess from the penalty spot was not just limited to his club career. He was also a regular penalty taker for the England national team.

2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese football superstar, is widely regarded as one of the top 10 best penalty takers of all time.

Over the course of his illustrious career, Ronaldo has been known for his clinical precision from the penalty spot. He has a remarkable ability to remain calm and composed under pressure, and he rarely misses a penalty.

Ronaldo’s impressive penalty-taking record is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and commitment to perfection.

He has scored a total of 148 penalties out of 177 throughout his career, making him one of the highest-scoring penalty-takers in football history.

What makes Ronaldo stand out as a penalty taker is his ability to vary his technique and approach. He is known for his trademark stutter-step technique, which he often employs to deceive the goalkeeper and score a goal.

1 Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard is undoubtedly the best penalty-takers of all time. During his illustrious career, the former Chelsea and England midfielder scored an impressive 60 penalties from 70 attempts.

He was known for his cool and composed demeanor when stepping up to take spot-kicks, rarely missing an opportunity to convert from 12 yards.

Lampard’s success rate from the penalty spot is particularly impressive when considering the high-pressure situations in which he often found himself.

Lampard’s technique and ability to strike the ball with precision were key factors in his success as a penalty taker. He often placed his shots low and hard to the corners of the net, making it difficult for goalkeepers to make saves.

He was also adept at changing his approach and keeping the goalkeeper guessing, adding an element of unpredictability to his penalties.

Overall, Frank Lampard’s success rate from the penalty spot and his ability to perform in high-pressure situations make him the best penalty-takers of all time.