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Though it might look easy to viewers, converting from the spot is no mean feat. Goalkeepers do whatever they can to throw the penalty taker off his game and there won't be many complaints even if he concedes.
However, if the penalty taker misses from the spot, he will be given an incredible amount of stick in addition to having to harbour the guilt of missing a great chance to score for his side. On the big stage, you need nerves of steel to keep your calm when the world is watching to win this battle of wits and technique.
As such, almost every club or international side has a specialist penalty taker who they hope will step up and deliver whenever called upon. On that note, let's take a look at five of the best penalty takers of all time.
#5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The lion, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, needs no introduction. One of the most interesting personalities in the world of football, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has kept us entertained both on and off the field for close to two decades now.
Ibrahimovic is undoubtedly one of the finest strikers of his generation and over the course of his journeyman career, he has scored some of the greatest goals we've seen and he has done that at ridiculous rates.
He is an incredible athlete who has scored some stunning acrobatic goals in his career but he has also been adept at doing the simple things with aplomb. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a big personality and a winning mentality and this reflects in the way he has consistently delivered in clutch situations.
Zlatan has converted 83 out of 97 penalties that he has taken and it is unusual for anyone else to be taking spot kicks when the Swede is around.
#4 Francesco Totti
Francesco Totti is seen as a national treasure in the city of Rome. Totti spent his entire career playing for AS Roma and had a spectacular career. He played a key role in Italy's 2006 FIFA World Cup triumph as well.
Totti was a fantastic striker and scored a total of 307 goals for his club over the course of his career. His skills weren't limited to the striking department though. He was excellent with the ball at his feet, possessed great technique and vision and could pick a pass too.
Francesco Totti was also one of the best penalty takers of all time. He has converted from the spot a whopping 86 times from a total 105 attempts. He also holds the record for the most number of penalties scored (71) in the Serie A.
#3 Gaizka Mendieta
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 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.
#1 Matt Le Tissier
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.
