Penalties are always considered one of the most tense and decisive moments in football, where both the taker and the goalkeeper are under great pressure. A penalty kick can change the game, bringing glory or bitterness in a split second. Although there are players who have an almost absolute success rate, no one can avoid unfortunate misses in their career. In fact, even the top football superstars, known for their excellent free kick ability, have had unforgettable moments on the 11 meter mark. So who is the penalty missed king in football? Let’s take a look at the list of players who have left a special mark in this interesting category with Bestsoccertips.com.
Who is the penalty missed king in football?
10. Ronaldinho (13 missed penalties)
Starting the list is Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, one of the most iconic players in the history of the game. Ronaldinho played his last professional match in 2015 for Fluminense before officially announcing his retirement in 2018, bringing to an end a glittering career filled with memorable moments. Despite leaving the pitch, his name still resonates with football fans around the world thanks to his outstanding performances and unique, inspiring style of play.
Known for his superb technique, skillful handling and boundless creativity, Ronaldinho was a shining star at some of the world’s top clubs such as FC Barcelona, PSG and AC Milan. He not only captivated fans with his spectacular goals but also with his mesmerizing footballing ability. However, in his illustrious career, the Brazilian star has missed 13 penalties in the 21st century – a number that has surprised many, especially for a player famous for his perfect technique. That only adds to the interesting and specialness of Ronaldinho in the hearts of those who love him.
9. Sergio Aguero (13 missed penalties)
Sergio Agüero, also known by his nickname Kun Agüero, will forever be remembered as one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history. He left a deep mark not only with his classy goals but also with the moment that made history with the most famous goal in the English top flight. With an important role, Agüero was a key factor in the strong rise and dominance of Manchester City in the Premier League, helping the team affirm its position on the world football map.
Despite his illustrious career, the Argentine star was forced to retire early in December 2021, aged just 33, due to heart problems. Agüero scored 48 penalties during his professional career, but also missed 14 – a remarkable number for a top striker. However, his contributions to football, especially at Manchester City, will always be remembered by fans and the history of the sport.
8. Edinson Cavani (14 missed penalties)
Edinson Cavani is widely regarded as one of the finest strikers of his generation, renowned for his goalscoring prowess and his killer instinct in the box. Known as a “fox in the box”, Cavani has led the Uruguay national team’s attack for over a decade, forming a formidable partnership with Luis Suárez. His consistency and prolific goalscoring ability have helped the Uruguayan side achieve much success on the international stage.
At club level, Cavani has made a lasting mark in the history of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 200 goals in 301 games, before being surpassed by Kylian Mbappé. From the penalty spot, Cavani has been clinical and accurate, scoring an impressive 62 goals, missing just 14 throughout his career. What makes his career interesting is that he has never missed a penalty while playing for the Uruguay national team – a testament to the striker’s strong mentality and excellent skills.
7. Antonio Di Natale (missed 14 penalties)
Antonio Di Natale is one of the greatest players in Udinese history and an irreplaceable symbol of the club. With 191 goals and 385 appearances in Serie A, he still holds the record for the most goals and the most appearances for the club. Di Natale’s loyalty and consistent form have made him a legend not only for Udinese but also for Italian football.
On the international stage, Di Natale also left his mark with 42 caps for the Italian national team, scoring 11 goals. In addition, he is a formidable penalty taker, taking 58 times throughout his career. Among them, Di Natale scored 44 times and missed 14 times, showing his stable and effective penalty kicking ability. After an illustrious career, the Italian striker officially retired in 2016, leaving an unforgettable legacy in the hearts of football fans.
6. Ciro Immobile (missed 16 penalties)
Ciro Immobile, one of the top strikers in Italian football, joined Turkish club Beşiktaş in the summer of 2024. Before that, Immobile had a brilliant time in his career at Lazio, where he scored 207 goals in 340 appearances, becoming the player with the most goals in the club’s history. His consistency and prolific goalscoring ability have made him a fixture at Lazio since joining from Sevilla in 2016.
Immobile also played a key role in Italy’s UEFA Euro 2021 triumph, helping his country to a prestigious title after years of waiting. Despite being a prolific scorer, he has had his fair share of challenges on the penalty spot. Immobile has missed 16 penalties in his career, including four in the 2020-21 season alone for Lazio. However, his explosive moments and impact on the pitch have made those misses pale in comparison, cementing his status as a top striker.
5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (17 missed penalties)
‘The Lion’ has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world including FC Barcelona, Manchester United, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Ajax, PSG, and also had a spell in MLS. He has brought success and goals to every club he has played for.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s all-time leading goalscorer with 62 goals. He has represented his country at two FIFA World Cups (2002 and 2006) and four UEFA Euros (2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016).
Ibrahimovic is always full of confidence and that is why many people may not remember him missing any penalties. But the Swedish striker has missed 17 penalties in his playing career while scoring an impressive 87 goals from the spot. He retired in June 2023 at the age of 41.
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4. Neymar (17 missed penalties)
Neymar remains one of the most skilled penalty takers in the world, a reputation he has built through years of impressive performances from the spot. The Brazilian superstar is also known for his unique style, which has influenced the game in an unexpected way. Early in his career at Santos, Neymar would often take penalties in a distinctive manner, pausing just before kicking the ball, waiting for the goalkeeper to dive, and then slotting the ball into the opposite corner. This innovative technique was so effective that it led to a rule change by FIFA, which now requires players to take penalties without any such pause, making Neymar one of the few players in history to have directly influenced a change in the rules of the game.
Currently playing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar continues to be one of the most talked-about players in world football. His dazzling skills, creativity, and ability to score goals make him a key figure on any team he plays for. Despite his impressive record, Neymar has missed 17 penalties during his career, having successfully converted 74 out of 91 attempts. While this record may show a few misses, it doesn’t diminish his reputation as one of the finest penalty takers of his generation. Neymar’s ability to stay composed and creative under pressure, especially from the penalty spot, solidifies his place among the greats of the game.
3. Francesco Totti (17 missed penalties)
Francesco Totti, a 2006 FIFA World Cup winner with Italy, is an immortal symbol of AS Roma and one of the rare loyalists in modern football history. Totti spent his entire playing career with the Italian capital club, making a total of 786 appearances and scoring 307 goals, both of which are club records that have never been broken. His dedication and talent helped AS Roma achieve significant success, including the 2000-01 Serie A title.
A penalty specialist, Totti scored an impressive 86 goals from the spot during his long career. However, he has also missed a total of 20 penalties, 17 of which occurred in the 21st century. These numbers do not overshadow the reputation of Totti, who is loved not only for his scoring ability but also for his classy playing style and unwavering loyalty to AS Roma.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (30 missed penalties)
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest footballers of all time, is not only known for his incredible goalscoring ability but also for being a penalty specialist. Throughout his illustrious career, he has scored an impressive 163 penalties, a record in football history. Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, but he still holds the record for being the player with the most goals in the history of men’s international football, as well as in major tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League.
Despite being a great player with countless impressive achievements, Ronaldo is not without his tough moments. The famous saying “Even the best stumble” also applies to him, as Ronaldo has missed 30 penalties in his career. However, these misses do not diminish his greatness, but only prove his resilience and willingness to accept challenges, whether it is from the penalty spot or in other important situations on the pitch.
1. Lionel Messi (31 missed penalties)
Surprisingly, both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo top the list of players who have missed the most penalties in the 21st century. Messi leads the way with 31 missed penalties throughout his career, a significant number for a player known for his goalscoring ability and technical prowess. However, these misses do not diminish his greatness, especially when looking at the total of 110 successful penalties that Messi has scored in his career.
However, Messi always knows how to shine in the most important moments. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he successfully converted four out of five penalties, with one of the decisive kicks in the thrilling final against France. Messi then lifted the World Cup trophy with Argentina after winning the penalty shootout. These impressive achievements not only prove Messi’s great ability but also confirm that he is always one of the best players, not only in penalty situations but also on the pitch in general.
In Summary
So through the above article, you know who is the penalty missed king in football? Penalties, although a golden opportunity to score, always carry pressure and risk. Missing a penalty is not only a personal failure but can also affect the results of the whole team, especially in important matches. However, this also reflects the human aspect of football, where even legends are not perfect. The list of players who missed the most penalties does not diminish their talent, but instead emphasizes the harshness and drama of the king sport. In the end, what matters is not only the failures, but how the players overcome the pressure to continue to conquer the challenges ahead.
