Ranking the 10 greatest penalty takers of all time

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo scores from the spot for Portugal.

The most prolific penalty taker in football history, Cristiano Ronaldo is an unmistakable presence in this list. The Portuguese superstar has scored an astonishing 143 penalties in his career.

Ronaldo's elite mentality and ability to deliver under pressure is well-documented, and he has always been a man for the big occasion.

From stoppage-time winners and crucial FIFA World Cup strikes to the decisive spot-kick in the 2016 Champions League final, CR7's composure from 12 yards out is legendary. With 60 successful attempts in the league for Real Madrid, he also holds the all-time record for most penalties scored in La Liga history.

The only reason the Manchester United man does not top our list is because of his high-profile misses. Ronaldo failed with his attempts in the 2008 Champions League final shootout (against Chelsea) and the 2012 Champions League semi-finals (against Bayern Munich).

He has 28 misses across his career for an impressive success rate of 83.6%.

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#1 Matt Le Tissier

Southampton's Matt Le Tissier (centre) shoots past Ryan Giggs (left) and David Beckham (right )of Manchester United.

One of the most underrated players of the 1990s, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier is considered the greatest penalty taker in the game's history. The England midfielder scored 47 spot-kicks during his career. Incredibly, he missed only once, ruining his spotless record and providing a pub quiz staple for decades to come.

His only miss from the spot came in the inaugural Premier League season (1992-93) in March 1993, when Nottingham Forest's Mark Crossley saved his effort at The Dell. Le Tessier would later talk about that save, saying:

“Mark Crossley is still dining out on that save; I couldn’t wish for a nicer lad to save my penalty!”

Known for scoring spectacular goals from distance and his exquisite first touch, Le Tissier had a career that is one of the biggest 'what ifs' in English football. Question marks over his work ethic along with his injury woes prevented the midfielder from reaching the giddy heights many believed he was capable of.