The 25 Best Penalty Takers in Football History
Scoring penalties is one of the highest-pressure tasks in football, and only a select few players have consistently delivered from 12 yards. Whether it’s composure, technique, or raw confidence, these players turned spot-kicks into an art form. Starting from number 25 and counting down to the undisputed greatest, here are the best penalty specialists the game has ever seen.
25. Eric Cantona – 24 Penalties Scored
Eric Cantona brought a coolness to penalties that mirrored his charismatic presence on the pitch. With 18 successful penalties for Manchester United, he rarely faltered when called upon.
24. Erling Haaland – 38 Penalties Scored
Despite his youth, Erling Haaland has already taken over 40 penalties, converting 38. His ruthless consistency and calmness under pressure make him one of the most reliable young takers.
23. James Milner – 28 Penalties Scored
Milner has always been dependable, and that extends to penalties. Scoring 28 and missing just four, his spot-kick record is among the Premier League’s most underrated.
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22. Leighton Baines – 26 Penalties Scored
Baines wasn’t just known for his free-kicks—he was deadly from the spot too. Scoring 26 out of 29, he combined technique and nerve with brilliant consistency.
21. Ivan Toney – 27 Penalties Scored
Ivan Toney has become a penalty master, especially for Brentford. With 27 goals and only two misses, his accuracy is truly elite.
20. Francesco Totti – 86 Penalties Scored
The Roma icon was often trusted to step up in pressure moments. Though he missed 20 penalties, his overall tally still reflects his responsibility and technique.
19. Gaizka Mendieta – 32 Penalties Scored
Mendieta was composed and clinical from the spot. Scoring 32 of his 34 career penalties, he missed only twice—both in the same year.
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18. Gary McAllister – 38 Penalties Scored
The Scottish midfielder was a set-piece maestro with nerves of steel. He converted 38 penalties with only three misses, delivering consistency at every level.
17. Michael Ballack – 29 Penalties Scored
Ballack had a powerful approach to penalties, preferring precision and force. He scored 29 of 31 penalties, often overshadowed by Frank Lampard during his Chelsea stint.
16. Antonin Panenka – 1 Iconic Penalty
Panenka may not have volume, but his influence is unmatched. His legendary chipped penalty in the 1976 European Championship final gave birth to a technique that still carries his name.
15. Bruno Fernandes – 51 Penalties Scored
Fernandes' trademark hop may divide fans, but it gets results. With 51 goals from the spot and just six misses, he’s a modern-day specialist.
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14. Danny Murphy – 29 Penalties Scored
Murphy flew under the radar as one of England’s best penalty-takers. He scored 29 of his 30 attempts, showing supreme calmness.
13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 86 Penalties Scored
Zlatan has taken more than 100 penalties throughout his career. Despite missing 17, his 86 conversions speak to his enduring confidence.
12. Harry Kane – 68 Penalties Scored
Kane’s technique is among the best in the world. With 68 successful penalties, he’s proven himself time and again for club and country.
11. Steven Gerrard – 46 Penalties Scored
Gerrard’s penalty prowess complemented his overall dead-ball skillset. The Liverpool legend was trusted from 12 yards for years, scoring 46 times.
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10. Mario Balotelli – 44 Penalties Scored
Balotelli may be unpredictable in open play, but he’s lethal from the spot. He’s scored 44 penalties with just five misses, usually sending keepers the wrong way.
9. Michel Platini – 44 Penalties Scored
Platini never missed a penalty in France. With 44 spot-kick goals in his career, he was elegance and precision personified.
8. Alessandro Del Piero – 77 Penalties Scored
Del Piero was a stylish and calm finisher. With 77 successful penalties and only 15 misses, he was among Italy’s finest.
7. Marco van Basten – 51 Penalties Scored
Van Basten's clean and consistent striking made him a feared penalty taker. He scored 51 of 55 attempts, rarely showing nerves.
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6. Rogerio Ceni – 47 Penalties Scored
A goalkeeper with 47 penalty goals is a rarity. Ceni defied convention and consistently delivered, adding penalty scoring to his shot-stopping duties.
5. Frank Lampard – 60 Penalties Scored
Lampard was Chelsea’s go-to man from the spot for years. He netted 60 penalties, combining intelligence and placement.
4. Robert Lewandowski – 78 Penalties Scored
Lewandowski is among the most clinical forwards in the game. With 78 goals from the spot, his consistency is elite across all competitions.
3. Alan Shearer – 72 Penalties Scored
Shearer was a penalty machine for Newcastle and England. He only missed six times, establishing himself as one of the most dependable ever.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 163 Penalties Scored
Ronaldo’s penalty total is simply staggering. Despite 29 misses, 163 goals from the spot confirm his unmatched longevity and fearlessness.
1. Matt Le Tissier – 43 Penalties Scored
Le Tissier never missed a single penalty in his career. With a perfect 43 out of 43, his legacy as the most clinical penalty taker is secure.
