Deadly From the Spot: Ranking the 9 Best Penalty Takers in World Football (2024)

9. Sergio Ramos

Sevilla

Sergio Ramos is undeniably one of the greatest defenders of all time. Known for his aggressive playing style, often referred to as the 'dark arts,' he used his intensity to intimidate attackers. During his time at Real Madrid, Ramos won every possible title, and now he has returned to his boyhood club, Sevilla.

While he may not be as dominant in defense as he once was, Ramos continues to showcase his skills from the penalty spot. With 86% of his goals coming from penalties, he stands among the highest-scoring defenders in history. A versatile talent, Ramos continues to make a significant impact on the field.

8. Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea

Romelu Lukaku might be one of the unluckiest strikers in the world. At Euro 2024, this was evident once again as he frequently had goals disallowed due to mistimed runs. His discomfort in the final third was apparent, as he often overstepped the mark of what a traditional striker should excel at.

However, it's a different story from the penalty spot. The current Chelsea striker, though expected to move on in the summer of 2024, excels in this area. Lukaku has converted 37 out of the 43 penalties he's taken in his career, placing him eighth on this list.

7. Harry Kane

Bayern Munich

Often disrespected, underappreciated, and scapegoated, Harry Kane's true value in the football world is frequently overlooked. Despite his numerous qualities, it's evident that he is one of the best strikers globally. By the time he retires, Kane could be regarded as one of the greatest attackers ever, with his composure and confidence from the penalty spot bolstering his case.

Kane varies his approach, sometimes relying on power and other times focusing on precise placement. Although he has missed penalties, including a heartbreaking one against France in the 2022 World Cup that ended England's run, this doesn't diminish his overall record. Kane is the epitome of reliability.

6. Robert Lewandowski

Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski has enjoyed a dream career, winning every major trophy in football. He dominated in Germany with Bayern Munich and is now thriving in sunny Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. Like Harry Kane, Lewandowski can always be relied upon to maintain his composure in the most tense moments.

Throughout his career, he has taken nearly 90 penalties and scored 80 of them. Unlike some players who become predictable, the Polish striker keeps goalkeepers guessing by aiming for either side, making it difficult to anticipate his moves. Goalkeepers despised facing him, and very few have managed to stop him. It's entirely possible that he will reach 100 penalties taken before he retires.

5. Erling Haaland

Manchester City

Erling Haaland has often been described as "robotic" throughout his career, a testament to his precise movement and instinct in the final third. The former Borussia Dortmund striker always seems to be in the right place at the right time, showcasing the effectiveness of Pep Guardiola’s coaching, one of the greatest managers ever.

Haaland has missed just five out of 50 penalties in his career, consistently putting Manchester City in pole position. The Norwegian striker favors powerful shots but rarely sends them over the bar, understanding his limits perfectly. His prowess makes him one of the best players in the Premier League.

4. Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United

In a world of chaos, Bruno Fernandes can bring a sense of calm to his team in the final third with his composure. This quality is a big reason why he is regarded as one of the best midfielders globally, despite occasionally showing a darker side with diving and frequent conversations with referees. Since joining Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon, Fernandes has been a crucial player, and the club has consistently relied on him from the penalty spot.

He has converted 54 out of 60 penalties, achieving an impressive 90% success rate. His unique stutter in the run-up often throws goalkeepers off balance, contributing to his high conversion rate.

3. Joao Pedro

Brighton

Brighton has been one of the Premier League's feel-good stories since their promotion in 2017. A key part of their success has been their ability to make smart and astute signings, with Joao Pedro exemplifying this strategy.

Despite a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Brazilian has become one of the Seagulls' key players, and his reliability from the penalty spot has quickly endeared him to fans. Though his sample size is smaller compared to others on this list, having missed just one penalty out of 14, there's no doubt about his world-class ability from 12 yards.

2. Ivan Toney

Brentford

Ivan Toney's penalty against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 shootout was the talk of the tournament. With a spot in the semi-finals on the line, the pressure was immense, yet the former Peterborough striker remained unfazed. Instead of focusing on the ball, he locked eyes with Yann Sommer to unsettle him before calmly placing his shot into the bottom corner. This moment highlighted his exceptional penalty-taking ability, having missed just two throughout his career. Brentford has been fortunate to have such reliability, though Toney may be on the move in the summer transfer window.

1. Cole Palmer

Chelsea

Finally, Cole Palmer has impressively never missed a penalty in his career. Despite his relatively short but successful career so far, the Manchester City prodigy has taken 14 penalties and scored all of them. Each attempt is marked by the confidence and charisma that many players lack from 12 yards.

During the 2023/24 season, Chelsea frequently received penalties, and Palmer's presence ensured a high likelihood of conversion. He often chooses to roll the ball into the bottom corner rather than relying on power, which frustrates goalkeepers who sense his psychological advantage. The youngster is undoubtedly among the best penalty takers in the world.