Footballers with the most penalty goals in the history give the impression that scoring from a spot is simple. In reality, these players deal with a lot of pressure from teammates and spectators. For this reason, they dread losing a penalty, since it is a golden chance to make people watching them proud. This article lists the top 15 most proficient penalty takers with precise shooting skills.

Players with the most penalty goals in history are commended for their bravery and boldness. Many know how hard it can be to score a penalty goal when all eyes are on you. It takes steel nerves and a lion's heart to score from the spot. These players have mastered key strategies like confidence, how to keep their heads over the ball and focus on where to place their shots, and how to strike the ball cleanly.

List of footballers with the most penalty goals in the history

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Football

Most players who score penalty goals are purely gifted. Although they spent a lot of time exercising to improve their skills, how they score almost all penalties they are given can only be described as a unique inborn gift. Below are the 15 top soccer players with the most penalty goals in the history of soccer:

15. Kylian Mbappé - PSG

Full name: Kylian Mbappé Lottin
Born: 20 December 1998
Age: 24 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: French
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 34
Total penalties missed: 8
Total penalties: 42
Career duration: 2016 - date
No. of clubs he played for: 2
Current teams: Paris Saint-Germain, France national football team
The longest time Kylian has played for a club: Paris Saint-Germain (2018 - present)

Kylian Mbappé is one of the best players in the world. The Paris Saint-Germain striker is renowned for his dribbling abilities, exceptional speed, and finishing. Kylian Mbappé has scored 34 penalty goals since his senior career debuted at AS Monaco in 2016. He has only played for Paris SG and Monaco at senior level.

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Football

14. Erling Haaland - Manchester City

Full name: Erling Braut Haaland
Born: 21 July 2000
Age: 23 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Norwegian
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 39
Total penalties missed: 4
Total penalties: 43
Career duration: 2015 - present
No. of clubs he played for: 5
Current teams: Manchester City, Norway national football team
The longest time Halaad has played for a club: Borussia Dortmund (2020 - 2022)

Erling Haaland is one of the best players in the world. He plays for Manchester City and has previously played for Borussia Dortmund, RB Salzburg, Molde FK, and Bryne at a senior level. Striker Erling Haaland is known for his speed, strength, positioning, and finishing inside the box.

13. Steven Gerrard - Retired

Full name: Steven George Gerrard MBE
Born: 30 May 1980
Age: 43 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: English
Position: Midfielder
Total penalties scored: 46
Total penalties missed: 19
Total penalties: 55
Career duration: 1998 - 2017
No. of clubs he played for:
The longest time Gerrad has played for a club: Liverpool (1998 - 2015)

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Gerrard was among the most competent footballers in the world in the early 2000s. He was discovered by his local upper-division football club, Liverpool FC, at age nine. Steven Gerrard played for Liverpool and Los Angeles in his senior career and scored 46 penalty goals.

12. Sergio Aguero - Retired

Full name: Sergio Leonel Agüero del Castillo
Born: 2 June 1988
Age: 35 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Argentine
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 48
Total penalties missed: 14
Total penalties: 62
Career duration: 2003 - 2021
No. of clubs he played for: 6
The longest time Sergio has played for a club: Manchester City (2011 - 2021)

The legendary Man-City striker is among the players with the most penalty goals in football. He was one of the best strikers of his generation and one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League. Sergio Aguero played for six clubs and spent most of his career time, a decade, with Manchester City.

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11. Frank Lampard - Retired

Full name: Frank James Lampard OBE
Born: 20 June 1978
Age: 45 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: English
Position: Midfielder
Total penalties scored: 60
Total penalties missed: 10
Total penalties: 70
Career duration: 1995 - 2016
No. of clubs he played for: 5
The longest time Lampard has played for a club: Chelsea (2001 - 2014)

Lampard was one of Chelsea's greatest players ever and one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He played as a box-to-box midfielder and an excellent penalty-taker. As one of the highest goal-scoring midfielders of all time, Frank Lampard only missed ten times from the spot kick. He played the longest for Chelsea.

10. Edinson Cavani - Boca Juniors

Full name: Edinson Roberto Cavani Gómez
Born: 14 February 1987
Age: 36 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Uruguayan
Position: Forward
Total penalties scored: 61
Total penalties missed: 14
Total penalties: 75
Career duration: 2005 - date
No. of clubs he played for: 7
Current teams: Club Atlético Boca Juniors, Uruguay national football team
The longest time Cavani has played for a club: Paris Saint-Germain (2013 - 2020)

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Cavani plays as a striker for Argentine Primera División club, the Boca Juniors. He has played for six more clubs, including SSC Napoli and PSG. Of all the teams Edinson Cavani has played for, he spent the most years, around seven years, with PSG.

9. Ronaldinho - Retired

Full name: Ronaldo de Assis Moreira
Born: 21 March 1980
Age: 43 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Midfielder
Total penalties scored: 70
Total penalties missed: 17
Total penalties: 87
Career duration: 1998 - 2015
No. of clubs he played for: 8
The longest time Ronaldinho has played for club: Barcelona (2003 - 2008)

Gaúcho, or simply Ronaldinho, became a favorite of many and a household name among billions of soccer fans worldwide because of his magical playing skills. Besides bending free kicks into the net, soccer legend Ronaldinho could also easily score penalties.

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8. Alan Shearer - Retired

Full name: Alan Shearer CBE DL
Born: 13 August 1970
Age: 53 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: English
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 72
Total penalties missed: 5
Total penalties: 77
Career duration: 1998 - 2006
No. of clubs he played for: 3
The longest time Shearer has played for a club: Newcastle (1996 - 2006)

Alan Shearer was one of the best strikers of all time and the Premier League's record goalscorer, with 260 goals. He is also among the soccer players with the most penalty goals in the Premier League, with 56 goals. Alan Shearer played for Blackburn, Newcastle, and Southampton between 1998 and 2006 and scored 72 penalties. He only missed five.

7. Alessandro Del Piero - Retired

Full name: Alessandro Del Piero Ufficiale OMRI
Born: 9 November 1974
Age: 49 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Italian
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 77
Total penalties missed: 15
Total penalties: 92
Career duration: 1991 - 2014
No. of clubs he played for: 4
The longest time Del Piero has played for a club: Juventus (1993 - 2012)

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The Juventus legend scored 77 times from the spot during his career. He is among the leading scorers in the history of Serie A and Juventus's all-time top scorers, with 290 goals. Del Piero retired from playing football in 2012 after being in the profession for almost two decades.

6. Zlatan Ibrahimović - Retired

Full name: Zlatan Ibrahimović
Born: 3 October 1981
Age: 42 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Swedish
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 85
Total penalties missed: 17
Total penalties: 102
Career duration: 1999 - 2023
No. of clubs he played for: 11
The longest time Ibrahimović has played for a club: Paris SG (2012 - 2016)

Ibrahimović calls himself the "football lion." The legend was known for his acrobatic strikes and volleys, technique, and ball control. Zlatan Ibrahimović defied all odds to become one of the best strikers ever. He only missed 17 penalties from 102 opportunities he got.

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Football

5. Francesco Totti - Retired

Full name: Francesco Totti Ufficiale OMRI
Born: 27 September 1976
Age: 47 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Italian
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 86
Total penalties missed: 20
Total penalties: 106
Career duration: 1993 - 2017
No. of clubs he played for: 1
The longest time Totti has played for a club: AS Roma (1993 - 2017)

Totti only played for AS Roma the entire time he was a soccer player. He is considered one of the best strikers ever, having netted 86 penalties and only missed 12. Francesco Totti also played for the Italian national soccer team.

4. Roberto Baggio - Retired

Full name: Roberto Baggio OMRI
Born: 18 February 1967
Age: 56 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Italian
Position: Midfielder
Total penalties scored: 100
Total penalties missed: 18
Total penalties: 118
Career duration: 1982 - 2004
No. of clubs he played for: 7
The longest time Baggio has played for a club: Juventus (1990 - 1995)

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Baggio was capable of playing in several offensive positions but mainly played as a second striker or attacking midfielder. He played for Italy in 56 matches, scoring 27 goals. As a result, Roberto Baggio is the joint fourth-highest goal scorer for his national team, alongside Alessandro Del Piero. He played for seven clubs in his senior career and scored 100 penalty goals.

3. Ronald Koeman - Retired

Full name: Francesco Totti Ufficiale OMRI
Born: 21 March 1963
Age: 60 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Dutch
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 111
Total penalties missed: 7
Total penalties: 118
Career duration: 1980 - 1997
No. of clubs he played for: 5
The longest time Koeman has played for a club: PSV Eindhoven (1989 - 1995)

Koeman is considered one of the best attacking center-backs of all time. He was capable of playing both as a defender and as a midfielder. Ronald Koeman was known for his goal-scoring, long-range shooting, and accuracy from free kicks and penalties. The retired Dutch player scored over 250 goals while playing in defense for most of his career.

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2. Lionel Messi - Inter Miami

Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
Born: 24 June 1987
Age: 36 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Argentine
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 109
Total penalties missed: 31
Total penalties: 140
Career duration: 2004 - date
No. of clubs he played for: 3
Current teams: Inter Miami CF, Argentina national football team
The longest time Messi has played for a club: Barcelona (2003 - 2021)

Messi captains Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. He is second with the most penalty goals in the history. Leo Messi has spent most of his senior career with Barcelona. Despite netting 109 penalties, the player has also missed the most penalties in history, 31.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Al Nassr

Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM
Born: 5 February 1985
Age: 38 years (as of 2023)
Nationality: Portuguese
Position: Striker
Total penalties scored: 157
Total penalties missed: 29
Total penalties: 186
Career duration: 2002 - present
No. of clubs he played for: 6
Current teams: Al-Nassr FC, Portugal national football team
The longest time Ronaldo has played for a club: Real Madrid (2009 - 2018)

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The Portuguese striker captains the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team. He holds the record for netting the most goals from the spot, 157, and is also the second player, after Messi, to have missed the most penalties, 29. Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer to reach 700 goals after scoring for Manchester United in a 2-1 home win over Everton on 9 October 2022.

Who has the most penalty goals in football history?

Penalties require mental strength and technique for one to score. Players with the most penalty goals are good at handling the pressure of the situation. Below are 15 players who have kept their cool most often and managed to score the most penalty goals in history:

Player	Penalty goals scored	Penalty goals missed	Total penalties
Cristiano Ronaldo	157	29	186
Lionel Messi	109	31	140
Ronald Koeman	111	7	118
Roberto Baggio	100	18	118
Francesco Totti	86	20	106
Zlatan Ibrahimović	85	17	102
Alessandro Del Piero	77	15	92
Alan Shearer	72	5	77
Ronaldinho	70	17	87
Edinson Cavani	61	14	75
Frank Lampard	60	10	70
Sergio Aguero	48	14	62
Steven Gerrard	46	19	55
Erling Haaland	39	4	43
Kylian Mbappé	34	8	42

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What are the most penalty goals missed by a player?

Lionel Messi has the highest number of missed penalties a footballer, 31, but also has the second highest scored penalty goals, 109, after Cristiano Ronaldo's 157 scored penalty goals. Below is a list of 12 players with the highest missed penalty goals in the history of soccer:

Lionel Messi - 31
Cristiano Ronaldo - 29
Francesco Totti - 20
Steven Gerrard - 19
Roberto Baggio - 18
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 17
Ronaldinho - 17
Antonio Di Natale - 15
Edinson Cavani - 14
Wayne Rooney -14
Sergio Aguero - 14
Frank Lampard - 10

Who has scored the most penalty goals in football history?

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most penalty goals by a player. The Portuguese striker has netted 157 out of the 186 penalty chances he has been given in his senior career.

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Who scored the most penalty goals, Messi or Ronaldo?

Ronaldo has scored 157 out of the 186 penalty opportunities he has received in his entire career, while Messi has netted 109 out of his 140 total career penalty chances.

Who has scored the most penalty goals in a season?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the record holder of the most penalty goals scored in a league season. He scored 12 goals from the spot in the 2011/12 and 2019/20 seasons. Messi has a record of 10 penalty goals in the 2011/12 season, and Jorginho scored ten penalty goals in the 2021/22 season.

Who has the most penalty goals in UCL?

Cristiano Ronaldo has the most goals from the spot in the Champions League (19), followed by Messi (18) and Robert Lewandowski (16). Below are the top ten players with the most penalty goals in UCL:

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Football

Player	UCL penalties scored
Cristiano Ronaldo	19
Lionel Messi	18
Robert Lewandowski	16
Ruud Van Nistelrooy	11
Sergio Aguero	11
Luís Figo	10
Rivaldo	8
Jorginho	8
Thomas Müller	8
Steven Gerard	7

Who has the most penalties scored in a game?

Two non-league English sides, Washington and Bedlington Terriers, recorded the most penalties in a game on 9 March 2022 after a 3–3 draw in the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup. The teams played 140 minutes and recorded 54 penalties in the shootouts. Washington won the match 25-24, beating the previous world record of 48, set in Namibia in 2005.

Who has the most non-penalty goals?

Cristiano Ronaldo has the most nonpenalty goals in history. He has scored over 815 goals between 2001 to date.

Ronaldo's record of the most penalty goals in history could stand for many years unless iconic players like Messi, Haaland, and Mbappé turn things around. Since Haaland and Mbappé are still young and energetic, the world is eagerly waiting to see them break more records, including Messi and Ronaldo's records.

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Sportsbrief.com compiled a list of the most influential footballers of this decade. These players have performed remarkably for their club and country. According to publications on the internet, many former and current football players are considered extraordinary.

Currently, Ronaldo and Messi stand out as the most influential among the rest. Find out about other players on the list.

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