Penalty-taking is not for the faint of heart.
On the surface, it looks simple enough – slot the ball into a big net from just 12 yards out, with no defenders in the way. But there’s far more to it than meets the eye.
Goalkeepers today meticulously study their opponents, trying to guess which way the ball will go. The execution has to be perfect too – strike it too softly and the keeper saves, hit it too hard and it sails over the bar.
And then there’s the pressure. With thousands roaring in the stands and millions watching from home, that lonely walk to the spot can feel like an eternity. Nerves jangle, legs wobble, the keeper looms larger, and the posts seem to shrink.
Yet some players have made penalties their stage, mastering the art with ice-cold precision, nerves of steel, or sheer arrogance.
So, without further ado, here are the 50 best penalty takers in football history.
