Who will come out on top, Messi or Ronaldo…?
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup.
During the past seasons in the top five leagues in Europe (England, France, Spain, Italy and Germany), these five superstars have bagged more penalties than anybody else.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, arguably the world’s three best players are in the top three spots!
=4) Frank Lampard – Chelsea – 23 penalties scored
Lamaprd has been Chelsea’s first-choice penalty taker for over a decade now. The veteran Englishman normally goes bottom left, but he’s been to known to blast them down the middle as well. Chelsea have decided not to renew his contract this summer though, and the 35-year-old is available on a free transfer.
=4) Sejad Salihovic – Hoffenheim – 23 penalties scored
The Bundesliga ace skippers Hoffenheim, and he takes their penalties as well. he has been with the club since 2006, after joining from Hertha Berlin, and is absolutely lethal from the spot. He’s one of two left-footed spot-kick takers in the top five.
3) Lionel Messi – FC Barcelona – 25 penalties scored
Unsurprisingly, Barca’s phenomenal Argentine also makes the list. Messi takes spot-kicks with his brilliant left, and can put them anywhere in the goal. He usually takes a slow run-up, before waiting to see where the keeper gambles, and firing the other way.
2) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – PSG
The giant Swede takes penalties for PSG, where he’s won two consecutive Ligue 1 titles. In the previous three years, Ibra took the spot-kicks for AC Milan, where he won Serie A in 2010/11.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
Way, way out in front is the World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese sensation has notched 37 spot-kicks for Los Blancos, and has famously scored two against England for his country in penalty shoot-outs earlier in his career.
