Victor Osimhen: World’s Best Players Who Take Poor Penalties as Napoli Star Misses Again

• Victor Osimhen's constant penalty misses continue to be a concern
• The prolific Napoli striker hasn't realised much success from the spot
• He joins a list of other elite players who are extremely poor at penalties

Taking penalties has often been reserved for a specific set of players who can keep their cool from the spot. The strike from 12 yards always seems easy, but as even the best takers in the game would tell you, it is sometimes easier to miss than to score.

It is always believed that the leading players of a particular team should be the designated penalty takers. Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes have taken up responsibilities for their sides.

These star players have higher conversion percentages - a statistic some of their fellow star players don't share and often shy away from taking penalties.

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World-class players who are poor at penalties

Sports Brief takes a look at five world-class players who are notoriously poor at taking penalties.

1. Victor Osimhen

Osimhen might have shone in Napoli's charge for the Serie A title last season, winning the Golden Boot in the process. But his record from the spot differs from his abilities as one of the best goalscorers in Europe. He took a tame effort against Juventus - his third miss in the Serie A since last season.

Despite carrying the best player in the continent tag, he doesn't take penalties for his national side, Nigeria. William Troost-Ekong takes the spot-kicks for the Super Eagles and does so with much efficacy.

2. Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba has always divided opinion, but not many people can argue that he is a world-class player. He turned up for Manchester United once in a while with exquisite passing, insane vision and long-range shots.

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But surprisingly, this never contributed to his penalty-taking techniques. Transfermarkt indicated that he lost five penalties in 15, with his stuttering run at times not doing him any favours.

The World Cup-winning midfielder also missed a penalty during a charity match in Guinea.

3. Riyad Mahrez

The Algerian left the Premier League as a legend, having won the title with Leicester City before moving to Manchester City, where he won every available trophy.

Before Erling Haaland came and took over the penalty-taking duties, pep Guardiola used to pass the baton to whoever felt confident enough to take them - a decision he deeply regretted in 2018.

While chasing a first win over Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Manchester City were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute with the score goalless. Mahrez stepped up to take it, only to blaze his effort over the bar.

Like Pogba, he missed five of the 15 penalties he took at Manchester City.

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4. Antoine Griezmann

Forget Kylian Mbappe; Griezmann has always been 'Mr Reliable' for Didier Deschamps in the French national team.

The former Barcelona striker had to be demoted from penalty duties momentarily in 2020 after missing three straight penalties - four if you add club competitions as well.

5. Edin Dzeko

The Bosnian tops the list of the worst penalty-takers in the 21st century. Despite chipping in with important goals in Wolfsburg's Bundesliga win in 2009, Manchester City's Premier League triumphs in 2012 and 2014 and Inter Milan's domestic cup victories, he was never an adept penalty taker.

He missed nine out of the 20 penalties he took (as of 2020), with his worst miss coming against Udinese while he was at AS Roma.

Osimhen trolled over penalty miss

Sports Brief has also reported fans' reactions following Victor Osimhen's latest penalty miss. The Nigerian forward saw his penalty saved by Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny during their Serie A match over the weekend.

Fans called on the striker to stop taking the penalties after missing his second attempt this season. Luckily for him, Giacomo Raspadori pounced on the rebound to make amends for the miss.