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Taking penalties is not an easy task. Mental toughness as well as awareness is required, from the goalkeeper as well as the penalty-taker.
Every club usually has a designated penalty-taker and an order players are supposed to follow when it comes to who will take the penalty. It is generally the striker who takes penalties, or attack-minded players like Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United.
It is not easy by any means and misses tend to happen. Even players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not perfect when it comes to this art.
On that note, we look at 10 players to have missed the most penalties in the 21st century.
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#10 Sergio Aguero - 12 penalties missed | 61 penalties taken
One of the greatest strikers to have played in the Premier League, Sergio Aguero is a Manchester City legend, with his consistent performances endearing him to the fans.
Aguero, whose European adventure began with Atletico Madrid in Spain, enjoyed five successful seasons in La Liga before a £35 million move to Manchester City in 2011. In his debut season, the striker scored the goal that ensured City won the Premier League, immediately establishing himself as a fan favourite.
Since then, the 32-year old has made 372 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 255 goals. The Argentina international has missed 12 penalties, having taken 61 during that time.
#9 Frank Lampard - 13 penalties missed | 80 penalties taken
Regarded as one of the best players to have played for Chelsea, Frank Lampard's talent and success at club level need no introduction.
The midfielder, who is a product of the West Ham United youth academy, joined Chelsea in 2001 for £11 million. Renowned for his goalscoring prowess and match intelligence, Lampard spent 13 seasons with the Blues, making 648 appearances in all competitions and scoring 211 goals.
The current Chelsea manager would go on to represent Manchester City and New York City before retiring in 2016 to begin his managerial career.
#8 Ronaldinho - 13 penalties missed | 68 penalties taken
One of the greatest players to have played the game, Ronaldinho enjoyed a glittering career at the very top.
While his off-field behaviour may be dominating the headlines these days, the Brazil international was highly creative and technical midfielder during his playing days. Having made his name in France with Paris Saint-Germain, Ronaldinho moved to Barcelona in 2003 where he established himself as one of the very best.
The talisman of Barcelona before Lionel Messi, the former Gremio man spent five seasons at the club before leaving 2008. The 40-year old would go on to play for the likes AC Milan, Flamengo and Queretaro before retiring in 2015.
Also Read: 5 Premier League clubs with the highest wage bills
#7 Wayne Rooney - 13 penalties missed | 53 penalties taken
Another player who enjoyed a stellar career playing at the highest level, Wayne Rooney is the record goalscorer for both Manchester United and the England national team.
A prodigious talent during his Everton days, Manchester United decided to make him the most expensive teenager in world football when they paid £25.6 million to secure his signature in 2004. The forward would go on to make 559 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 253 goals.
After stints with Everton and DC United in the MLS, the 35-year old currently plies his trade for Derby County in the Championship, where he is the captain as well as a coach.
#6 Edinson Cavani - 14 penalties missed | 73 penalties taken
A highly prolific striker who has scored goals at every club he has played for, Edinson Cavani has shone for both club and country.
The Uruguay international made his name in Serie A, playing for Palermo and later Napoli. In 2013, Paris Saint-Germain made Cavani the then-record signing in French football when they splurged £58 million for his signature. The striker made 301 appearances in all competitions for the Parisiens, scoring 200 goals and in the process becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer.
The 33-year old joined Premier League club Manchester United in the summer, where he inherited the no.7 jersey. He is yet to start for the club but opened his account with a strike against Everton this month.
#5 Antonio di Natale - 15 penalties missed | 58 penalties taken
An underrated striker during his prime, Antonio Di Natale is Udinese's top appearance holder as well goal-scorer in Serie A.
Having began his career at Empoli, Di Natale moved to Udinese in 2004, where he would enjoy his best years. He won the Serie A top goalscorer award twice while at Udinese, and rejected a chance to move to Juventus when he was playing his best football.
In 446 appearances in all competitions, the Italy international scored 227 goals, finishing his career with the Italian club. His loyalty to Udinese, apart from his contributions on the field, have been highly appreciated.
#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 16 penalties missed | 92 penalties taken
One of the best strikers of all-time, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to prove why he deserves to be in that bracket.
The Sweden international has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world with distinction. A nomadic striker, Ibrahimovic has made appearances for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. In his entire career, the striker has made 817 appearances and scored 494 goals.
The 39-year old is currently playing for AC Milan and is one of the best players in Serie A on form. In five league appearances he has scored eight goals, as his legend continues to grow on a daily basis.
Also Read: 10 players who have scored the most goals in European leagues this year
#3 Fransesco Totti - 19 penalties missed | 99 penalties taken
A one-club man, Francesco Totti is regarded as the greatest player to have played for Roma.
The forward was renowned for his technical ability, goalscoring prowess and creativity and spent his entire playing career with his beloved club. In 786 appearances in all competitions, Totti scored 307 goals, earning praise for his consistency and elegance.
The 44-year old retired from playing 2017 and immediately become a club director at Roma. He stepped down from the role in 2019, thus ending his 30-year association with the club.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo - 27 penalties missed | 162 penalties taken
Having represented some of the biggest clubs in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo's performances have resulted in many calling him one of the greatest ever to have played the game.
Having began his career at Sporting CP, Ronaldo joined Manchester United in 2003. After six successful years at the club, a big-money move to Real Madrid beckoned. Here, the Portugal international would become the club's all-time top goalscorer and win every trophy possible, before leaving for Juventus in 2018.
The 35-year old has been in fine form in Serie A since making his debut, leading the line well for Juventus and scoring at a consistent rate.
#1 Lionel Messi - 27 penalties missed | 126 penalties taken
Arguably the greatest to have played the game, it would be fair to say that Lionel Messi has not been at his very best this season.
However, there is no denying his influence at Barcelona, for whom he is regarded as the greatest player to worn the famous shirt. Since making his debut in 2004, the Argentina international has made 741 appearances, scoring 640 goals and providing countless assists.
With just one year left in his Barcelona contract, Messi admitted earlier this year that he would have liked to leave the club in the summer. Manchester City have been linked with the 33-year old.
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