Penalty kicks are a crucial aspect of football, and converting them into goals can be the difference between winning and losing. Some players have mastered the art of scoring from the spot, and their precision and confidence have earned them a spot in the record books. Here are the top 10 football players with the most penalty goals as of 2024
10. Ronaldinho (Brazil) – 70 penalty goals
Ronaldinho, full name Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, is a legendary Brazilian midfielder known for his exceptional dribbling skills, creativity, and flair on the field. His career spanned several top clubs, including Barcelona, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. Ronaldinho’s penalty-taking ability was a key aspect of his game, and he remains one of the most iconic footballers of his generation, admired for his joyful approach to the sport.
9. Alan Shearer (England) – 72 penalty goals
Alan Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, having netted 260 goals during his career. A prolific striker, Shearer played for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, and Newcastle United. Known for his powerful shot and aerial ability, Shearer was also a reliable penalty taker, converting 72 spot-kicks throughout his career. His contributions to English football have cemented his status as one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport.
8. Alessandro Del Piero (Italy) – 77 penalty goals
Alessandro Del Piero is a former Juventus and Italian national team striker, renowned for his technical skills, vision, and precision in front of goal. Del Piero spent the majority of his career at Juventus, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer and appearance maker. His proficiency from the penalty spot was a significant part of his game, and his 77 penalty goals highlight his composure and accuracy under pressure.
7.Robert Lewandowski (Poland) – 78 penalty goals
Robert Lewandowski is a Polish striker known for his clinical finishing and incredible goal-scoring consistency. Throughout his career, he has played for top clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona. Lewandowski’s ability to convert penalties with ease has contributed significantly to his impressive goal tally, making him one of the most prolific strikers of his era.
6. Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden) – 85 penalty goals
Zlatan Ibrahimović is a celebrated Swedish striker known for his technical prowess, physical presence, and remarkable goal-scoring ability. His career has seen him play for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United. Ibrahimović’s 85 penalty goals reflect his confidence and skill from the spot, as well as his overall impact on the game.
5. Francesco Totti – Retired– 86 penalties scored
Francesco Totti, a gifted and creative offensive playmaker, was capable of playing both as an attacking midfielder and a forward. Born on 27 September 1976, Totti is 47 years old as of April 2024. Throughout his career, he was known for his remarkable skill and vision on the field. Totti played exclusively for AS Roma from 1993 to 2017, as well as for the Italy national team, making him one of the most loyal one-club players in football history. His ability to score from the penalty spot was exceptional; he netted 86 penalties and missed only 20 out of a total of 106 attempts. Totti’s impressive career spanned over two decades, establishing him as one of the best strikers ever.
4. Roberto Baggio – Retired– 101 penalties
Roberto Baggio, born on 18 February 1967, is 57 years old as of April 2024. Baggio was renowned for his versatility in several offensive positions, particularly excelling as a second striker or attacking midfielder. Over his career, which lasted from 1982 to 2004, Baggio played for seven clubs, with his longest tenure at Juventus from 1990 to 1995. He was highly proficient from the penalty spot, scoring 101 penalties and missing only 18 out of 119 attempts. Baggio also had a distinguished international career with Italy, scoring 27 goals in 56 matches. He is tied with Alessandro Del Piero as the joint fourth-highest goal scorer for the Italian national team.
3. Lionel Messi ( Inter Miami) 109 penalties
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as “La Pulga” (The Flea) and the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time), is an Argentine striker currently playing for Inter Miami CF and the Argentina national team. Born on 24 June 1987, Messi is 36 years old as of April 2024. He has scored 109 penalty goals and missed 31 out of 140 attempts. Messi’s career began in 2004, and he has played for three clubs, with the longest tenure being at Barcelona from 2003 to 2021. Despite his impressive penalty record, he holds the record for the most missed penalties in history. Messi captains both his Major League Soccer club and the national team, solidifying his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
2. Ronald’s Koeman – Retired – 113 penalties
Ronald Koeman, born on 21 March 1963, is 61 years old as of April 2024. Koeman is widely regarded as one of the best attacking center-backs of all time, known for his goal-scoring prowess, long-range shooting, and precision in free kicks and penalties.
During his career, which spanned from 1980 to 1997, Koeman played for five clubs, with his longest stint at PSV Eindhoven from 1989 to 1995. He scored 113 penalties and missed only 7 out of 120 attempts. Remarkably, Koeman scored over 250 goals despite primarily playing in defense for most of his career, highlighting his exceptional offensive capabilities as a defender.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo ( Al Nassr ) 165 penalties
Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese striker currently playing for Al Nassr FC and the Portugal national team, is known for his extraordinary skills and numerous accolades. Born on 5 February 1985, Ronaldo is 39 years old as of April 2024. He has scored 163 penalty goals and missed 29 out of 192 attempts.
Ronaldo’s career started in 2002, and he has played for six clubs, with the longest stint at Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018. He holds the record for the most penalty goals in history and is second only to Messi in terms of penalties missed. Ronaldo became the first footballer to reach 700 career goals after scoring for Manchester United in a 2-1 home win over Everton on 9 October 2022.
