Penalty takers are considered as the pressure bearer and leader of the game. It’s very tough job to bear the responsibility of penalty taker. They can’t only turn the game head over heels, but also give an entire new shape to the ongoing match or tournament.
There will be very few players who really can bear pressure, has strong leading capability and cheer up and encourage his team mates when the team is trailing. And only players with these kinds of qualities are given the chance to hit from the spot.
Here’s a look at the Top 10 Penalty Takers Of All Time who are the specialist to hit the ball to the net under tremendous pressure and boo from the opponents-
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool and England legend, Steven Gerrard was the set-piece specialist. Gerrard was successful both as a free kick taker and a penalty taker. Gerrard didn’t use to give goal keeper the chance. Gerrard was known for his powerful blasting penalties that rendered the goalkeeper helpless. Gerrard scored total 47 penalties out of the 57 penalties he had taken in his career.
Frank Lampard
English and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has a very profilic and decorated career. 2011/12 Champions league winner played as attacking mid fielder for England and Chelsea. Super Frankie was best known for his powerful shots and accuracy.
His shot power and long shot accuracy ensured a lot goals during his career. In addition to it, Lampard was also an amazing free kick and penalty taker. He scored 46 out of the 57 penalties he took for Chelsea. He is one the best penalty taker for Chelsea of all time. Currently, Frank Lampard is managing his boyhood club Chelsea.
Mario Balotelli
Italian striker Mario Balotelli is famous for his style of play and stylish finishing. Balotelli is the 2012 Euro Cup runner up. Super Mario is also famous for his celebrations and his sneers. His celebrations go viral on social media platforms. Despite many of his flaws, Mario is a titan from the penalty spot as he has scored 37 penalties in his career, missing only 5.
Despite, his potentiality and capability, his over style hindered his games. He missed so many open goals doing blunders. So he never became fans and manager’s favourite.
Rickie Lambert
Rickie Lambert took 50 penalties in his career and converted each one of them but just 3.
Playing for English club Liverpool and Southhampton, he was the man to go to the spot when the team was awarded penalty. Rickie Lambert didn’t use to have much technical qualities but his hard work and effort overshadowed his weakness.
Alan Shearer
England and Premier League legend has a profilic career. Alan Shearer is the top scorer of the Premier League history.
He even dawns the record of converting the most number of penalties into goals.
Southhampton and New Castle legend Shearer was best known for his physical style of play. And above all, Alan Shearer had a brilliant 83.6 % conversion rate of penalties . Alan scored 56 out of the 67 times he stepped up.
Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure has taken 16 penalties in official competitive games, and hasn’t missed a single shot. Extremely surprising.There is no player in the history of football who has never missed a penalty. The greatest conversion rate from the spot resides with the Italian legend Roberto Baggio (100%). Roberto Baggio also hasn’t missed any penalties he had taken.
Sergio Ramos
The Spanish international and Real Madrid’s captain Sergio Ramos is currently the best penalty taker in the world. Ramos hasn’t missed last 23 penalties that he had taken. Ramos has now set the record for longest running streak of penalty scored. Last time when Sergio Ramos missed his penalty was in 2017 against Sevilla.
Before 2017 he had missed against Bayern Munich in 2012 champions league semi-final. In that game Ronaldo, Ramos and Kaka had missed the penalties which cost Real Madrid the elimination from the tournament.
Ronaldo missed 13 of the 92 spot kicks he took for Los Blancos, whilst Ramos has missed just one of 21 penalties, which equates to a staggering 95 percent success rate.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Undoubtedly, Cristiano Ronaldo can be called as the best penalty taker of all the time. From Portugal national team to Manchester United, and Real Madrid to Juventus, Ronaldo is recognized as the big game player and best penalty taker.
The 5 times balon d’Or winner has netted a lot of crucial penalties in his career. Due to his penalty scoring ability, many people criticise him, calling “Penaldo”.
Cristiano Ronaldo has the penalty conversion rate of 84%. Ronaldo appears at the pinnacle of this list. He has scored over a century penalties in his career. He has taken 134 penalties till date and missed 22.