Penalty shoot specialists: the best pitchers

Last update 11 February, 2025 by Alberto Llopis

who are The best penalties in history?

The maximum penalties, They are usually half a goal. A) Yes, at least interpret fans, players, coaches and everyone who suffers or receives signaling a penalty. However, It not always equals penalty goal.

The nerves, Goalkeepers good or bad skill in this art do sometimes play a bad move when transforming the maximum punishment.

That's why, that in Hanged for Football, We analyze this time the best pitchers in history, the great specialists from 11 metros, yes with a requirement, They must have released more than 30 penalties in his career

The best penalty takers history

Matt Le Tissier

Matt Le Tissier es, without a doubt, One of the best penalties of all time. Its effectiveness from the penalty is insurmountable. With an impressive success rate of the 98%, Le Tissier scored 49 of the 50 penalties he executed in his career.

His only ruling occurred in March 1993, When the goalkeeper Mark Crossley He stopped him a penalty. His characteristic style was to wait until the last moment before executing the shot, which allowed him to deceive the goalkeeper and place the ball with a millimeter precision at the desired angle. This ability earned him recognition as one of the greatest specialists in football.

Gaizka Mountains

Gaizka Mendieta is another of the big names in the history of penalties. With an effectiveness of 91,18%, The Basque midfielder scored 31 of the 34 penalties he executed in his professional career. His technique was unique: I waited for the goalkeeper's decision and then shot at ground level, sending the ball to the opposite corner. His calm and precision made him one of the most feared pitchers, especially during his time at Valencia CF and in the Spanish team.

Juninho Pernambucano

Juninho Pernambucano, known for its exceptional ability with free throws, He was also a penalty teacher. During his time at Atlético de Madrid, converted 29 of the 32 penaltis that executed, achieving an effectiveness of 90,63%.

What made it so special was his serenity and precision. He never got nervous and placed the ball exactly where he wanted. His ability to control nerves in high pressure situations allowed him to shine both in national and international competitions.

Gabriel Omar Batistuta

Gabriel Omar Batistuta It is one of the most iconic figures of Argentine and world football. With an impressive effectiveness rate of the 90,32%, Batistuta scored 28 of the 31 penalties he executed in his career.

The Argentine striker had a characteristic style: shot with a powerful strength, Without fear that the goalkeeper would guessed the direction of the ball. This launch style earned him the nickname “Batigol” And he consolidated him as one of the best strikers in history. His ability to score a penalty was a feared and respected player in all the competitions in which he participated.

Dennis Bergkamp

Dennis Bergkamp, One of the most elegant players that football has seen, He was also an excellent penalty pitcher. The Dutch striker converted 34 of the 38 penalties he executed in his career, achieving an effectiveness rate of 89,47%.

Bergkamp was known for his ability to execute penalties with subtlety and class. I often chose to place the ball in the corners farthest from the goalkeeper, using their vision and precision to overcome the best goalkeepers in the world. His penalty skill was just one of the many facets that made him an exceptional player.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, The charismatic Swedish striker, It has been one of the most feared players since eleven meters. With an effectiveness of 84%, Ibrahimović scored 84 of the 100 penalties he executed in his career.

Ronaldinho Gaucho

Recognized for its magic and skill in the field, Ronaldinho also highlighted as a penalty deportment throughout his career. Launched 93 and marked 75 getting a pEffectiveness orientation of the 80,65%.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two of the most prominent players in history, They have demonstrated remarkable efficiency from the penalty spot throughout their careers. Next, Its most recent and relevant statistics are detailed in terms of prisons executed and converted. However, as today are still active, We still don't put them in the final list.

Cristiano Ronaldo:

• Total penalties executed: 214
• Converted penalties: 181
• Percentage of effectiveness: 84,5%

Of the 214 penalties that Cristiano Ronaldo has executed, has become 181, which gives you a effectiveness rate of the 84,5%. It is important to highlight that, In his career, It has failed 33 penalty shootout, of which 21 They were saved by the goalkeepers and 12 deviated by the player himself.

Lionel Messi:

• Total penalties executed: 116
• Converted penalties: 91
• Percentage of effectiveness: 78,45%

Lionel Messi has executed 116 penalty throughout his career, turning 91 from them, which represents an effectiveness of 78,45%. It has failed 25 penalty shootout, indicating a slightly lower conversion rate compared to Cristiano Ronaldo.

These statistics reflect the ability of both players to keep calm and precision in high pressure situations, contributing significantly to the success of their respective teams over the years.

Obviously, There will be many more penalties with numbers and very high success percentages. But we have tried to summarize with some of the best known.