Who is the best penalty taker ever?

Physiocrat

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I'm not just looking for the player with the best career stats as such but the one who scores them consistently in the biggest games at the highest level - big league games, Euros/World Cup/European Cup quarter finals to finals.
 
I think this is very hard for several reasons. sample sizes of penalties almost never get as big as they should to have all luck taken put of the picture unless both players took 150+.

85 vs 95% conversion rate does not really say much if both players are on less then 50 pens. Both could end up on 90 after 200.
 
Unfortunately I think Le Tissier has a pretty good claim. I think the only goalkeeper to save one of his was the unnaturally good at stopping penalties Mark Crossley (who also does a fantastic impression of Brian Clough fwiw)
 
Probably Shearer or Van Basten based on your criteria. Reliable for club and country in all types of games.
 
I think van Basten. From the currently playing ones it’s probably Lewandowski with Palmer looking to take that spot
 
Ronald Koeman. Scored 113 out of 121 taken penalties.
 
Immediate reaction was Totti and Lewandowski.

I then did go check the stats, Totti is not that great. Lewa is. I’ll go with him.
 
Juninho. The GK wouldn't even bother looking at the ball, he's going to protect his own balls instead. One hit and his family generation is in danger.
 
Muller during his no-look penalty phase. Sadly missed one against Athletico Madrid and then didn't do it afterwards.

Overall, during the time I've seen football, I think Kane. He always seems to find the corner and hits it with so much power as well, his miss in the Euros does haunt that reputation but overall I think he's been the best. Shearer too bit I was a lot younger during his prime.
 
Cantona for me. Remember the 2 pens against Chavski in 94? Ice cool.The one against Pool in his comeback game too.
Always felt he was going to score.
 
Probably between van Basten, Koeman (they were spoiled for choice!) and Lewandowski for me.

Le Tissier doesn’t have enough high-profile games although from a technical standpoint he’s the best. Palmer follows Balotelli’s early trajectory… those three make me think about this (in)famous idea that sometimes those without the theoretical capability of overthinking it may be the best penalty takers.

Cantona from United ones although him, Ruud (that miss aside), Irwin and Bruno were all brilliant.
 
Wilt said:
Have you ever taken one?
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Let's just say I have a 100% record.

Aside from me, I'd say Steve Bruce, love the way he took them, just walked back to the 18, turned and just buried it. No dicking about.
 
Probably Koeman because in addition to the conversion rate, and the big ones in 1988 in the European Cup and the European Championship, with who he played with he had to be the best to get to take as many as he did in the first place.
 
duffer said:
Le Tiss's record is great but he never really took a high pressure penalty. They were almost all in league games or early round cup ties.
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Yeah, I always bring this point up too. It is a big factor in my opinion.
 
George Best.

George was a guest commentator at a World Cup when a last minute penalty was awarded. The main commentator hyped the tension by asking, “Who would want to take such a pressure kick with the fate of his country depending on the outcome, in front of a watching world?”

George replied: I would.

Priceless!
 
Oranges038 said:
Let's just say I have a 100% record.

Aside from me, I'd say Steve Bruce, love the way he took them, just walked back to the 18, turned and just buried it. No dicking about.
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100% …can’t get better than that
 
Cristiano has scored an awful lot of important penalties in his career.
 
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