FIFA 18: Top 5 Penalty Takers featuring Manchester United megastar and a few surprises

Imagine this, you've successfully dribbled past your opponent's defenders and you are in a prime position to shoot. Your player enters the penalty area and is bracing for the shot, suddenly a wild tackle comes in and he is brought down.

After rage mode has been controlled somewhat, you realise you have a penalty kick to take. You are trying to decide whom to pick to be the specialist. Sportskeeda helps make your job easier by giving you the Top 5 Penalty Takers in FIFA 18.

5. Paul Verhaegh (Wolfsburg)

The Dutch right-back has been given an overall rating of 77 and has a shooting rating of 51. Although it does not seem like a lot, his penalties stat is as high as 90 and that has helped pull up his shooting score to 51.

All his other stats are fairly low including Positioning, Finishing, Shot Power, Long Shots and Volleys. In real life, Verhaegh is one of the best penalty takers and was even part of the 2014 Dutch World Cup squad. He has an almost 100% record of scoring from penalty kicks. This puts him at number five on our list.

4. Timmy Simons (Club Brugge)

40-year-old Simons is a Club Brugge legend

The Belgian midfielder is the only average player on our list if FIFA 18 ratings are anything to go by. His overall rating is 73 and his shooting score is 59. Just like Verhaegh, his shooting stats are fairly low and the only thing that is rated high is his penalties, which is 90. Additionally, his shot power is 71 which is the second highest shoot statistic that he has. Simons has scored 48 goals through penalties and is Club Brugge's go-to penalty expert.

3. Fabinho (AS Monaco)

Fabinho has really come of age at Monaco in the last two seasons

The 83-rated midfielder has a higher shooting rate than the other two before him with a score of 65. His penalty taking skills are also fairly high at 91. His shot power also peaks at 75. The Brazilian is a crucial penalty taker for AS Monaco. Fabinho, a target for several top teams who is most likely to switch clubs next season, is a master at penalties and his 17 previous goals have all been from penalties

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic still retains his aura at 35

King Zlatan is second on our list and unlike the other three, his shooting stats take a big jump to 88. In terms of penalties, the Swede has a score of 91 and his other shooting stats are just as high. He has been Manchester United's key penalty taker and has banged in 69 penalties in his career so far.

1. Mario Balotelli (OGC Nice)

Balotelli still retains his exemplary penalty striking quality

The Italian striker is a talented penalty taker and is currently rated at 82 in overall stats. His shooting score is also 82 but his penalty-taking score is the highest at 92. The Nice striker is credited as a player who never misses a penalty kick.

The striker credited it to his ability to play mind games with the goalkeeper. His shot power and finishing technique are also pretty good. It is no wonder that the 27-year-old is the numero uno penalty taker on our list. Even the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, also dubbed 'Penaldo' does not feature on the top five list