Ranking the 5 best penalty takers of all time

#3 Gaizka Mendieta

Gaizka Mendieta of Spain scores a penalty

Gaizka Mendieta is a legend of the game and was one of the finest midfielders around during the early 2000s. Mendieta was sensational for Valencia and his exquisite technique and close control made him a fan favourite. He has also played for the likes of Barcelona, Lazio and Middlesbrough.

Mendieta was one of the coolest customers on a football field and this translated into some great penalty kicks. The Spaniard always kept his composure and kept sending the goalkeeper the wrong way before stroking the ball to the other side of the net throughout his career.

Gaizka Mendieta has a great conversion rate from the spot. He has converted from the spot 34 times from 37 attempts and was easily one of the best in the business from the spot.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo scores a panenka

Cristiano Ronaldo does not have as good a conversion rate as the others on the table but the man has scored so many from the spot that the rest of the competition pales in comparison. That does not mean his conversion rate is a joke either.

The Portuguese legend has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. After starting out at Sporting Lisbon, he became a sensation and won his first Ballon d'Or at Manchester United before moving to Real Madrid where he would have an incredible spell. Ronaldo is currently at Juventus and he is still scoring goals for fun.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 129 penalties and has missed 25. At his prime, he was one of the best dead-ball specialists of his generation and even now, he has no reason to shy away from taking a penalty.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘PANENKA’ penalty against Spezia.The greatest penalty taker ever. Ice cold. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ER8O1UnNjP

— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) November 1, 2020

#1 Matt Le Tissier

Matt Le Tissier of Southampton

The result has never looked so inevitable as when Matt Le Tissier lines up to take a penalty. Matt Le Tissier is a Southampton legend and he earned the nickname 'Le God' for his exploits for the Saints, which is also the only club he has ever played for.

The first midfielder to score 100 goals in the Premier League, Matt Le Tissier is widely regarded as the greatest penalty taker of all time. He has converted 47 of the 48 penalties he has taken and has scored a total of 161 goals for Southampton over the course of his career.

Speaking about his ability from the spot, Tissier once said,

I believed that when I stepped up to take them, I was going to score. It was an easy chance for a goal. Being a goalscorer and loving hitting the back of the net, I just didn't want to waste that opportunity.

** Puts vintage Matt Le Tissier on repeat ** #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/nU5WvI0lHa

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 23, 2018