10 players who have missed most penalties in the 21st century

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo make the list
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo make the list

#7 Wayne Rooney - 13 penalties missed | 53 penalties taken

Wayne Rooney playing for Manchester United
Wayne Rooney playing for Manchester United

Another player who enjoyed a stellar career playing at the highest level, Wayne Rooney is the record goalscorer for both Manchester United and the England national team.

A prodigious talent during his Everton days, Manchester United decided to make him the most expensive teenager in world football when they paid £25.6 million to secure his signature in 2004. The forward would go on to make 559 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 253 goals.

After stints with Everton and DC United in the MLS, the 35-year old currently plies his trade for Derby County in the Championship, where he is the captain as well as a coach.


#6 Edinson Cavani - 14 penalties missed | 73 penalties taken

Edinson Cavani in Manchester United colours
Edinson Cavani in Manchester United colours

A highly prolific striker who has scored goals at every club he has played for, Edinson Cavani has shone for both club and country.

The Uruguay international made his name in Serie A, playing for Palermo and later Napoli. In 2013, Paris Saint-Germain made Cavani the then-record signing in French football when they splurged £58 million for his signature. The striker made 301 appearances in all competitions for the Parisiens, scoring 200 goals and in the process becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer.

The 33-year old joined Premier League club Manchester United in the summer, where he inherited the no.7 jersey. He is yet to start for the club but opened his account with a strike against Everton this month.


#5 Antonio di Natale - 15 penalties missed | 58 penalties taken

Antonio Di Natale in Italy colours
Antonio Di Natale in Italy colours

An underrated striker during his prime, Antonio Di Natale is Udinese's top appearance holder as well goal-scorer in Serie A.

Having began his career at Empoli, Di Natale moved to Udinese in 2004, where he would enjoy his best years. He won the Serie A top goalscorer award twice while at Udinese, and rejected a chance to move to Juventus when he was playing his best football.

In 446 appearances in all competitions, the Italy international scored 227 goals, finishing his career with the Italian club. His loyalty to Udinese, apart from his contributions on the field, have been highly appreciated.


#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 16 penalties missed | 92 penalties taken

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a fine career
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a fine career

One of the best strikers of all-time, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to prove why he deserves to be in that bracket.

The Sweden international has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world with distinction. A nomadic striker, Ibrahimovic has made appearances for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. In his entire career, the striker has made 817 appearances and scored 494 goals.

The 39-year old is currently playing for AC Milan and is one of the best players in Serie A on form. In five league appearances he has scored eight goals, as his legend continues to grow on a daily basis.


Also Read: 10 players who have scored the most goals in European leagues this year

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Edited by Vishal Subramanian
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