When it comes to penalty kicks, the pressure is immense. You’re one on one against the goalkeeper and it’s up to you to convert. In today’s blog post we will be counting down the top 10 soccer stars who have been able to stay cool under pressure and make the most out of their penalty taking opportunities. From strikers to midfielders, these players have all made a name for themselves due to their ability to put the ball in the back of the net from the penalty spot. Read on to find out who made the list!
1) Cristiano Ronaldo
The first player on our list is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar has made a name for himself as one of the most lethal penalty takers in the world of soccer. With his quick reflexes and calm demeanor, Ronaldo has successfully converted a whopping 96 penalties throughout his career.
What sets Ronaldo apart from the rest of the pack is his ability to take on the pressure of the moment and come out on top. Whether it's a crucial moment in a Champions League final or a game-winning penalty for his country, Ronaldo always steps up to the challenge.
In addition to his penalty-taking abilities, Ronaldo is also widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. His impressive speed, technique, and power have earned him numerous accolades, including five Ballon d'Or awards and four European Golden Shoes.
Despite facing criticism and adversity throughout his career, Ronaldo has remained focused on his goal of becoming one of the greatest players of all time. And with his impeccable penalty-taking skills, there's no doubt that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the field for years to come.
2) Lionel Messi
It's no secret that Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players of all time, with an impressive list of achievements to his name. He's a prolific goal scorer, and his skills on the field have earned him the nickname "The Flea." But did you know that he's also one of the most reliable penalty takers in the game?
Messi has taken 77 penalty kicks in his career, scoring an impressive 65 of them. That's a conversion rate of 84.4%, making him one of the best penalty takers in the sport. His ability to remain calm and focused under pressure is a testament to his skill and experience, and he's become known for his deadly accuracy from the penalty spot.
In fact, Messi's penalty taking abilities have often been the deciding factor in important games. For example, in the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final against Juventus, Messi scored a crucial penalty kick in the second half to give Barcelona a 2-1 lead. He went on to score another goal and help lead his team to victory.
But what sets Messi apart from other penalty takers is his versatility. He doesn't just rely on one type of shot – he's capable of using different techniques depending on the situation. For instance, he's known for his powerful low shots, but he's also capable of deceiving the goalkeeper with a well-placed chip shot or a subtle change of direction.
All in all, Messi's record as a penalty taker speaks for itself. His accuracy and versatility have helped him become one of the greatest players of all time, and he'll undoubtedly continue to make his mark on the sport for years to come.
3) Neymar
Next up on our list of top 10 soccer stars with the most penalty kicks taken is the Brazilian wonderkid, Neymar. With his exceptional dribbling skills and precision in front of the goal, Neymar is often trusted with the responsibility of taking penalties for both his club and country.
Since his debut for Brazil in 2010, Neymar has scored an impressive 68 goals in 112 appearances, many of which came from the spot. The 29-year-old has taken a total of 77 penalties in his career so far, with a conversion rate of 83%.
Neymar's quick footwork and deceptive movement often draws fouls from opposing defenders, making him a natural fit for the role of a penalty taker. His ability to stay calm and composed under pressure has seen him convert numerous penalties in important matches, including in the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup.
However, Neymar has also faced criticism for his theatrics and perceived lack of sportsmanship, with some accusing him of diving to win penalties. Despite the controversy surrounding his play style, there's no denying that Neymar is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to taking penalties.
Overall, Neymar's exceptional skills, combined with his nerve under pressure, make him a vital asset for both his club and country, and an undisputed member of the list of the coolest penalty takers in soccer history.
4) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
At number four on our list of top penalty takers in soccer is the Swedish striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Known for his physicality and incredible goal-scoring ability, Ibrahimovic has earned a reputation for being one of the coolest players under pressure, especially when it comes to penalty kicks.
Throughout his illustrious career, Zlatan has taken 126 penalties, converting 103 of them, which gives him a success rate of 81.7%. This impressive record has seen him score crucial penalties for various teams, including Ajax, Inter Milan, PSG, Manchester United, LA Galaxy, and AC Milan.
One of the most memorable penalty kicks Ibrahimovic has ever taken was in a UEFA Champions League match in 2013, while playing for PSG against Anderlecht. He scored four goals in that match, including an audacious 35-yard volley, and a sensational bicycle kick, but his penalty stood out for the sheer nonchalance with which he took it. Standing still, he dummied the goalkeeper and gently stroked the ball into the net with his left foot, all while wearing a wry smile on his face.
Aside from his penalty taking ability, Zlatan is known for his confident, charismatic persona on and off the pitch, and his penchant for scoring acrobatic goals. Despite being in the twilight of his career, the Swedish maestro remains one of the best penalty takers in the game today.
5) Sergio Ramos
At number five on our list is Sergio Ramos. The Spanish defender is not only known for his defensive prowess, but also for his spot-kick abilities. Ramos has been the primary penalty taker for his club, Real Madrid, for several seasons now and has a solid record of converting penalties. He has also taken crucial penalties for the Spanish national team, including in the 2012 European Championship final against Italy.
Ramos' success rate from the spot is impressive, with 18 successful penalties out of 21 attempts in La Liga. His style of taking penalties is calm and composed, often waiting for the goalkeeper to make a move before sending the ball into the opposite corner. Ramos' experience and composure in high-pressure situations make him an ideal penalty taker, as he has proved time and time again for Real Madrid and Spain.
While Ramos is primarily a defender, he is known for his attacking instincts and goal-scoring abilities. He has scored over 100 career goals, with 23 of those coming from the penalty spot. Ramos' versatility and cool under pressure make him one of the most valuable players for both Real Madrid and the Spanish national team.
6) Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez is widely considered as one of the most talented and successful footballers of our time. He is known for his goal-scoring ability and the fact that he can take penalties with exceptional accuracy.
Suarez has taken a total of 41 penalties during his professional career and has converted 36 of them into goals, which is an incredible success rate of 87.8%. He has proven his coolness under pressure numerous times by taking important penalties in crucial games.
Suarez is currently playing for Atletico Madrid and has established himself as one of the most important players for the team. He has also had successful stints with Liverpool and Barcelona in the past.
The Uruguayan international has won numerous individual awards and titles throughout his career. He was the top scorer in the Premier League with 31 goals in 2013-14 and won the European Golden Shoe award in 2014 and 2021.
Suarez is known for his fierce competitiveness on the field, and he is always ready to take on any challenge that comes his way. His confidence and self-belief are some of his strongest traits, which have helped him succeed as a penalty taker.
Overall, Luis Suarez is a remarkable football player and one of the best penalty takers in the world. His ability to convert penalties with such consistency is truly impressive and has helped him earn his place on this list of top penalty takers.
7) James Rodriguez
Coming in at number seven on our list is the Colombian attacking midfielder, James Rodriguez. Rodriguez is known for his creative flair on the pitch and his ability to take on defenders with ease. However, he is also a very effective penalty taker.
Rodriguez has taken a total of 15 penalties throughout his professional career, scoring 12 of them. This impressive 80% conversion rate is a testament to his cool under pressure and his ability to execute under the most intense circumstances.
One of Rodriguez's most memorable penalty kicks came during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when he scored a stunning goal from the spot against Brazil in the quarterfinals. This goal helped propel Colombia to their best-ever World Cup performance, with Rodriguez winning the Golden Boot award as the tournament's top scorer.
Off the pitch, Rodriguez is also a humanitarian, having started his own foundation to help underprivileged children in his native Colombia. His work off the pitch is a reflection of his humble personality and dedication to giving back to his community.
Overall, James Rodriguez is a player who exudes confidence and skill on the pitch, making him one of the coolest penalty takers in the game today. His unique combination of talent and philanthropy make him a player that soccer fans can admire both on and off the pitch.
8) Andrea Pirlo
At number eight on our list of the top 10 penalty takers in soccer is the legendary Andrea Pirlo. The former Italian international and AC Milan legend was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, and his prowess from the spot was just one of his many skills on the pitch.
Throughout his illustrious career, Pirlo took a total of 86 penalty kicks and converted 74 of them, giving him a success rate of 86%. His ice-cool demeanor under pressure, coupled with his incredible technique and precision, made him a formidable penalty taker.
Some of Pirlo's most memorable penalty kicks came in crucial matches for both club and country. He famously scored a Panenka-style penalty in the shootout of the 2012 European Championship quarter-final against England, which Italy won 4-2 on penalties. Pirlo also converted from the spot in the 2005 Champions League final, helping AC Milan to secure their seventh European Cup.
Even in his twilight years, Pirlo continued to showcase his penalty-taking skills, converting all six of his attempts during his two seasons in Major League Soccer with New York City FC.
Although he may not have scored as many penalties as some of the other players on this list, Pirlo's impeccable technique and unflappable composure under pressure make him one of the best penalty takers to ever grace the game.
9) Frank Lampard
Number 9 on our list of the top ten soccer players with the most penalty taker is Frank Lampard. Lampard is a retired English professional soccer player who is considered one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He was known for his remarkable technique, impressive long-range shooting, and cool-headedness when it came to taking penalties.
Lampard played for Chelsea for over a decade and became one of their most influential players of all time. He was also the club's record penalty scorer, with 41 successful spot-kicks out of 49 attempts. Lampard was confident and precise with his penalties, and his exceptional composure under pressure made him a lethal force from the spot.
One of Lampard's most memorable penalty moments came in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Liverpool in 2008. He scored a crucial penalty in the second leg, which helped Chelsea secure a spot in the semi-finals. Lampard's impressive record from the penalty spot makes him one of the most reliable and feared penalty takers in the history of soccer.
Even after retirement, Lampard's penalty prowess has not gone unnoticed. As a manager of Chelsea, he guided the team to a UEFA Champions League win in 2021, where they were dominant in the penalty shootout. Lampard's reputation as a reliable penalty taker has even inspired his own children to take up the art of taking spot-kicks. He has undoubtedly left his mark on the beautiful game, both as a player and now as a coach.
10) David Beckham
David Beckham was not only a prolific goal scorer but also a fantastic penalty taker. Throughout his illustrious career, he scored 67 goals from the penalty spot, including 10 during his time at Real Madrid.
Beckham's penalty-taking technique was unique in that he often opted to hit the ball with the inside of his foot, rather than the more traditional approach of striking with power. This technique allowed him to place the ball accurately and deceive the goalkeeper.
One of Beckham's most memorable penalties came in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals against Argentina. With the score tied at 1-1 in the second half, England were awarded a penalty. Beckham stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the top corner to give his team the lead. England went on to win the match 1-0, with Beckham being named Man of the Match.
Overall, David Beckham's cool demeanor under pressure and accuracy from the penalty spot make him one of the top ten penalty takers in the history of soccer.
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