The 10 Most Reliable Penalty Takers in Football Today
Penalty kicks are the ultimate test of nerves in football. It involves handling pressure, outsmarting the goalkeeper, and staying cool when it matters most. This list highlights the most reliable penalty takers in the game right now—the players you’d want stepping up when everything is on the line.
Cole Palmer
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Cole Palmer quickly rose as one of the most consistent penalty-takers in football. He’s barely put a foot wrong since taking over Chelsea’s spot-kick duties. Palmer’s approach is calm and calculated. His ability to pause mid-run and wait for the keeper to commit is straight out of Jorginho’s book but with a style all his own.
Luka Milivojević
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Milivojevićwas one of Crystal Palace’s most reliable goal threats—not from open play, but from the penalty spot. He turned penalties into an art form by slotting them with power and precision. His success rate was absurdly high, and Palace fans knew that if Luka stepped up, the ball was hitting the back of the net.
Robert Lewandowski
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Robert Lewandowski delivers with near-surgical accuracy, whether it’s a Bundesliga night, a Champions League decider, or a clutch moment for Barcelona. He rarely goes to the same spot twice in a row and keeps goalkeepers guessing at all times.
Sergio Ramos
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A defender with striker-like confidence at the penalty spot? That’s Sergio Ramos. The iconic Panenka against Atletico Madrid, the ice-cold finishes for Spain, and the countless high-pressure moments with Real Madrid prove that Ramos lives for these situations. Even as he’s aged, his composure hasn’t wavered.
Lionel Messi
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For a guy who makes football look effortless, Lionel Messi’s penalty record has been, at times, a rollercoaster. But when the stakes are at their highest, he delivers. His penalty against France in the 2022 World Cup final was perfectly executed. His style varies—sometimes he powers it, sometimes he passes it in—but his unpredictability keeps goalkeepers second-guessing.
Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo treats penalties like personal challenges—ones he rarely loses. His technique combines power and precision; he can go high, low, left, right—wherever he wants. His signature stance, with legs apart and eyes locked on the target, is enough to send goalkeepers into a panic.
Borja Iglesias
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Borja Iglesias isn’t the most famous name on this list, but his penalty record speaks for itself. The Spanish forward rarely misses, and his calm, calculated approach makes him one of La Liga’s most underrated penalty specialists. He often relies on placement rather than sheer power. He waits for the keeper to move before slotting it past them.
Ivan Toney
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If penalties were an art form, Ivan Toney would be the artist-in-residence. His trademark technique is calmly walking up to the ball before striking it. This makes him one of the most unpredictable penalty-takers. Goalkeepers hesitate because Toney waits until the last possible second before deciding where to place his shot, and this mind game works almost every time.
Jorginho
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Jorginho’s hop, pause, and precision are some of his signature moves. When executed correctly, it’s almost impossible to stop. His technique is about deception and makes goalkeepers commit early before passing the ball into the net. While his style has been analyzed and occasionally countered, he still has one of the best penalty records in recent football history.
Erling Haaland
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Haaland takes penalties like he takes every other scoring opportunity: ruthlessly. His penalties are about ensuring the ball hits the net with absolute authority. His strike is so fierce that even a slight misjudgment by the keeper means game over. He’s become the go-to penalty-taker for Manchester City.
Callum Wilson
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Callum Wilson has quietly built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable penalty-takers. He doesn’t overcomplicate things; he is direct, sharp, and accurate. What makes Wilson so compelling is his ability to mix things up. He doesn’t have a set pattern, which keeps goalkeepers guessing.
Justin Kluivert
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The Kluivert name carries weight in football, and Justin Kluivert is doing his part to uphold the family legacy—especially from the penalty spot. His calmness under pressure is undeniable, and his penalties are precise, well-placed, and confident.
Mohamed Salah
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Mohamed Salah takes penalties with the same level of determination that makes him one of the world’s best attackers. His approach is smooth but decisive. He’s scored in massive moments for Liverpool, including Premier League title races and Champions League finals. He often goes for power, but he’s got the finesse to slot it in calmly when needed.
Bruno Fernandes
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A short run-up, a slight jump, and then—goal. Bruno Fernandes’ penalty-taking style is unique, but it works. His hop before striking the ball allows him to read the goalkeeper’s movement before making his final decision. He’s been Manchester United’s go-to penalty-taker for years, and his record is among the best in Europe.
Harry Kane
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Harry Kane’s strategy is simple but brutally effective: a short, focused run-up, a powerful strike, and pinpoint accuracy. He’s not into fancy tricks, either. He picks a spot and hits it precisely. Even when goalkeepers guess the right way, his shots are usually struck so well that they’re impossible to keep out.
