Few manage to hold their nerves and score from the penalty spot in critical situations consistently. Here is a list of the 20 best penalty takers in football history who have managed to overcome anxiety and hold their nerves to convert from the penalty spot consistently!
The 20 Best Penalty Takers in Football History:
1.) Cristiano Ronaldo (163 Penalty Goals)
Few goalscoring lists exist without Cristiano Ronaldo topping them. The football legend has scored a whopping 163 penalties throughout his career, making him one of the best penalty takers of all time.
2.) Ronald Koeman ( 113 Penalty Goals)
The FC Barcelona legend might have been a scary defender to play against, but his ability to score ferocious free-kicks and penalties scared his opponents even further. The Dutchman ended his impressive career with an astounding 113 penalty goals making him one of the only defenders to make the best penalty takers list in football history.
3.) Lionel Messi (110 Penalty Goals)
Despite scoring more than 100 penalties, Lionel Messi has been always criticized for his penalty scoring abilities due to his miss in the 2016 Copa America final. However, the footballing great silenced critics as he took Argentina to a World Cup victory on the back of some impressive penalties not only in the final but in the entire tournament. His astonishing 110 goals from the penalty spot certainly cement his legacy as one of the best penalty takers in football history.
4.) Roberto Baggio (101 Penalty Goals)
The scars from the 1994 World Cup final penalty miss may never heal, but it certainly doesn’t reduce Baggio’s legacy as one of the best penalty takers in the world. The Italian striker scored an impressive 101 goals from the spot, while missing only a mere 18 from the spot.
5.) Francesco Totti (86 Penalty Goals)
While etching his name into the history books of Roma, Totti also cemented his legacy as one of the best penalty takers in football history, scoring 86 goals from the spot.
6.) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (85 Penalty Goals)
Considered as one of the best strikers in footballing history, Zlatan also scored 85 goals from the spot over the course of his illustrious career. His powerful shots from the spot were nearly impossible to stop, making him one of the best penalty takers.
7.) Robert Lewandowski (78 Penalty Goals)
The third highest goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League, Robert Lewandowski has been one of the most reliant strikers during his time in Europe. His 78 penalty goals have oozed class and calmness, making him one of the best penalty takers in footballing history.
8.) Alessandro Del Piero (77 Penalty Goals)
Alessandro Del Piero’s illustrious career saw him haunt oppositions not only with his ability to play in all channels across the pitch, but also his breathtaking penalty scoring ability. Del Piero ended his career with 77 goals from the spot.
9.) Neymar Junior (74 Penalty Goals)
Neymar Junior’s record of 74 goals from the penalty spot is not only impressive, but reminds one of his incredible ability in tense situations. While Neymar’s conversion rate isn’t the greatest, he has scored several crucial goals even helping Brazil win the 2016 Olympics gold medal.
10.) Alan Shearer (72 Penalty Goals)
It would’ve been impossible to complete a list of best penalty takers without the inclusion of the Premier League’s greatest goal scorer. Over his illustrious career, Alan Shearer scored a whopping 72 goals from the spot. His penalties often felt like a bullet as they zipped past before the keeper could even react.
11.) Ronaldhino ( 70 Penalty Goals)
The magician was influential in all attacking aspects and even scored an impressive 70 goals from the spot. Boasting a 81% conversion rate, Ronaldhino managed to fool keepers with his calmness before taking the penalty.
12.) Frank Lampard (61 Penalty Goals)
Chelsea and England legend, Frank Lampard, finds himself in the list of the best penalty takers in football history with an astounding 85% conversion rate. His 61 goals from the spot earned Chelsea and England several crucial victories.
13.) Bruno Fernandes (52 Penalty Goals)
Few penalty takers boast a better conversion rate from the spot than Bruno Fernandes. His 52 goals from the spot over the course of his career have come at an impressive conversion rate of 90%. Bruno tends to play mind games with the keeper before blasting the penalty into the back of the net, usually in one of the corners of the goal.
14.) Marco Van Basten (51 Penalty Goals)
A man with one of the best track records from the spot is Marco van Basten. The footballing great scored an amazing 51/55 penalty goals and is considered as one of the best penalty takers in football history. The AC Milan legend scored one of his most important penalties in the 1992 UEFA Champions League final for Milan which saw Milan go on to win the tournament.
15.) Matt Le Tissier (48 Penalty Goals)
Perhaps the most surprising name of the list is Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier. Affectionately called “Le God” by Southampton loyalists, the midfielder scored 48 times from the spot achieving an astonishing conversion rate of 98%.
16.) Mario Balotelli ( 48 Penalty Goals)
Often criticized for his on field behavior and mannerisms, people tend to forget Mario Balotelli’s impeccable record from the penalty spot over the course of his career. The striker has scored 48 penalty goals from the spot while missing only 5 times. Talk about clinical!
17.) Steven Gerrard (46 Penalty Goals)
Steven Gerrard’s impact on the game would often be felt even in crucial moments as the Liverpool legend managed to score 46 goals from the penalty spot. His penalties were almost always belted low, right into bottom corners, making it nearly impossible for the keeper to reach and helping Gerrard easily make the list of best penalty takers in football history.
18.) Michel Platini (44 Penalty Goals)
One of the greatest strikers in French footballing history, Michel Platini also makes the list of best penalty takers in football with his 44 goals from the penalty spot. The Frenchman had a powerful shot from the spot and attempted to drive it far from the keeper into either corners of the net. He boasted an impressive conversion rate of 97% from the spot. One of his best penalties came in Les Bleus amazing 1984 Euros victory
19.) Erling Haaland (42 Penalty Goals)
The lanky Norwegian in his short career already scored an astounding 42 goals from the penalty spot with a conversion rate of nearly 90%. His penalties, much like his shots, are extremely powerful and could certainly leave a hole in any keeper’s hand attempting to save them.
20.) Robin Van Persie (39 Penalty Goals)
Van Persie was often considered to be one of the clutch players due to his ability to convert consistently from the spot in important games. The striker managed to score 39 goals from the penalty spot while missing only 5 times, making him one of the 20 best penalty takers in football history.