#2 Diego Alves – the Penalty Whisperer
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As the cameras cut to Valencia boss Voro’s face on the touchline when Dani Parejo conceded a penalty with a foul on Modric in the box, there was no look of disgust or pain. Instead, Voro knew that his keeper was the best in the world when it came to saving penalties. To no one’s surprise, Diego Alves saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort, the third save in four penalties he has faced from the Portuguese superstar.
History’s best goalkeepers – your Buffons, Casillas, Neuers, Schmeichels etc have averaged a penalty save rate of 20-25%. From the 53 penalties that Diego Alves has faced in his career, the Brazilian has saved an incredible 26 penalties – a save rate of 49.05%! He’s stopped the best – Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Cristiano Ronaldo – very few have an answer to beating him from the penalty spot regularly.
He’s already made La Liga history, but football is such a cruel game for goalkeepers, that Alves walks away the loser today, despite his heroics.
