Top 10 Best Penalty Takers in the World 2025 highlights the footballers who excel at one of the game’s most high-pressure moments: the penalty kick. Converting a penalty requires composure, precision, and nerves of steel, and the players on this list have proven themselves capable time and time again. From deadly finishers who can place the ball with surgical accuracy to players who combine power and deception to outwit goalkeepers, these specialists have mastered the art of scoring from 12 yards.
Penalty taking is often more than just technique; it’s about mentality. The world’s best penalty takers stay calm under immense pressure, whether in league deciders, cup finals, or international tournaments. Each of the 10 players featured has demonstrated incredible consistency and confidence, making them trusted options for their clubs and countries when the stakes are highest. Their ability to deliver when it matters most has helped secure trophies, define matches, and cement legacies.
This list of Top 10 Best Penalty Takers in the World 2025 not only celebrates their technical excellence but also the psychological strength required to succeed in high-pressure moments. Fans and aspiring players alike can learn from their skill, precision, and fearlessness in front of goal.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo – 91
Cristiano Ronaldo may be slightly past his physical peak, but his penalty-taking remains world-class. With a penalty rating of 91, he is one of the most reliable finishers in football history. His ability to stay calm under pressure, combined with pinpoint accuracy and years of experience, makes him a go-to option for both club and country.
Ronaldo’s technique is deceptively simple. He studies the goalkeeper, chooses his spot, and executes with a combination of power and precision. Over his career, he has scored dozens of crucial penalties in Champions League, domestic leagues, and international tournaments. His success rate from the spot has cemented him as a player who thrives in high-stakes moments.
Even in FIFA/EA FC simulations, Ronaldo remains a top pick for penalty duties. Gamers often choose him for Ultimate Team or Career Mode because he is nearly guaranteed to score in crucial moments. Beyond statistics, his aura and confidence make him a psychological weapon. Opponents know he rarely misses, which often affects goalkeepers’ decisions before he even takes the shot. His consistency over nearly two decades ensures that Ronaldo’s name will always appear in discussions about the best penalty takers of all time.
9. Bruno Fernandes – 91
Bruno Fernandes has quickly built a reputation as one of the most reliable penalty takers in world football. The Manchester United captain combines composure, precision, and a trademark hop-and-skip technique that makes him almost impossible to read. With a 91 penalty rating, he is one of the safest choices in high-pressure scenarios.
His mentality sets him apart. Fernandes approaches every spot-kick with confidence, studying goalkeepers and varying his technique depending on the situation. This intelligence, combined with his natural finishing ability, ensures a high success rate even in crucial matches. In addition to scoring, his presence inspires teammates and puts pressure on the opposition.
Fernandes’ reliability extends beyond just penalties. His overall leadership and creativity in midfield make him an invaluable asset to Manchester United. In Career Mode or Ultimate Team, he is a must-have for gamers seeking consistency from the penalty spot. In real life, his calmness under pressure has secured countless points for United, often turning tight games in their favor. Bruno Fernandes has earned his spot as one of the world’s top penalty takers through a combination of skill, intelligence, and mental fortitude.
8. Daniel Gazdag – 91
Daniel Gazdag may not be a household name globally, but the Hungarian midfielder is one of the most underrated penalty specialists in football. Playing for Columbus Crew, Gazdag boasts a remarkable penalty rating of 91 despite an overall rating of just 74, demonstrating his exceptional composure and accuracy from the spot.
Gazdag’s success comes from his focus and methodical approach. Unlike some players who rely on flair, he studies goalkeepers carefully and executes penalties with calm precision. This makes him highly reliable in both domestic and international competitions, where pressure can often disrupt less disciplined players.
In EA FC simulations, Gazdag is a hidden gem for Career Mode or Ultimate Team. His cheap price combined with incredible spot-kick reliability allows gamers to secure goals in crucial matches. Beyond video games, his real-life composure has earned him trust with Hungary’s national team and contributed to crucial victories for Columbus Crew. While he may not have the same fame as Ronaldo or Fernandes, Gazdag’s ability to convert penalties with near-perfect consistency puts him firmly among the world’s best. He is proof that mental strength and precision can often outweigh raw talent or star power.
7. Hakan Calhanoglu – 92
Hakan Calhanoglu is renowned for his mastery of set pieces, and his penalty-taking ability is no exception. With a rating of 92, the Inter Milan midfielder combines technical precision, tactical intelligence, and calm under pressure, making him one of the most feared penalty specialists in 2025.
Calhanoglu’s approach is methodical. He often studies goalkeepers’ tendencies before stepping up, ensuring his strikes are perfectly placed. This attention to detail allows him to execute penalties under extreme pressure, whether in Serie A, European competitions, or international fixtures with Turkey. His penalty success rate is matched by few, and he has consistently delivered in decisive moments.
Beyond penalties, Calhanoglu contributes as a playmaker. His vision and creativity make him invaluable to his club and country, but it’s his ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations that makes him elite from the spot. Gamers in Career Mode or Ultimate Team quickly recognize his potential as a penalty taker. Hakan Calhanoglu combines technical brilliance with mental fortitude, cementing his position among the top penalty takers in the world for 2025.
6. Andrej Kramaric – 92
Andrej Kramaric is one of the most underrated penalty takers in world football. Playing for Hoffenheim and Croatia, Kramaric has scored 56 career penalties with a remarkable consistency. His rating of 92 reflects his technical skill and mental toughness when taking crucial spot-kicks.
Kramaric is known for his inventive penalty style, often using no-look finishes or subtle feints to deceive goalkeepers. This unpredictability makes him extremely difficult to stop, and his ability to perform under pressure ensures he remains reliable for club and country. His composure also allows him to convert penalties in tight games, finals, and decisive moments.
Despite a less flashy profile than some global superstars, Kramaric is highly valued in EA FC Ultimate Team and Career Mode due to his cheap cost and reliability. Gamers appreciate his ability to consistently deliver under pressure. On the field, his calm, precise approach and tactical intelligence make him one of the safest choices from the penalty spot. Kramaric’s combination of technical skill, creativity, and mental strength ensures his inclusion among the top 10 penalty takers in 2025.
Also Read:
- The 10 Fastest Players to Score 100 Goals for a Club
- Top 10 Wonderkids Taking Over World Football in 2025
- Yashin Trophy 2025: The Complete Top 10 Winner List
- Top 10 Greatest Goalkeepers in World Football 2025
5. Ivan Toney – 93
Ivan Toney is one of the most audacious and consistent penalty takers in modern football. With a rating of 93, Toney has missed just two penalties in his entire career—a remarkable feat given the high-pressure situations in which he often steps up.
Toney’s technique blends precision with psychological warfare. He studies goalkeepers meticulously, using body language and deception to mislead them. His audacity, combined with flawless execution, has made him one of the deadliest penalty takers in Europe. Goalkeepers know that facing Toney from 12 yards is a formidable challenge.
In addition to his on-field success, Toney is highly sought after in EA FC Ultimate Team and Career Mode. Gamers rely on him as a reliable spot-kick taker, often securing wins in tight matches. His blend of technique, confidence, and creativity ensures he converts penalties consistently, regardless of the situation. Ivan Toney’s name has become synonymous with reliability and audacity from the penalty spot, making him a standout among the top 10 penalty takers in 2025.
4. Harry Kane – 95
Harry Kane tops the penalty charts with an astonishing 95 rating. The Bayern Munich striker has scored 94 penalties from 106 attempts, showcasing exceptional composure, accuracy, and consistency. Kane’s ability to handle pressure makes him one of the most feared spot-kick takers in modern football.
Kane combines power, placement, and mental strength to excel in high-stakes moments. Whether in the Bundesliga, Champions League, or international tournaments with England, he rarely misses and is trusted in decisive situations. His technique involves precise placement and timing, ensuring goalkeepers are almost always wrong-footed.
Beyond penalties, Kane’s overall game intelligence and leadership make him invaluable to Bayern Munich. In EA FC Ultimate Team and Career Mode, Kane is often a priority signing due to his reliability from the spot. His exceptional record reinforces his status as a modern football great. Harry Kane’s blend of technical skill, calmness under pressure, and mental fortitude ensures he remains the world’s top penalty taker in 2025.
3. Lionel Messi – 94
Lionel Messi’s penalty-taking ability combines composure, precision, and unmatched vision. Even as he continues his PSG career, Messi maintains a 94 rating from the spot, reflecting years of experience and technical mastery.
Messi is known for his calm, almost effortless approach. He studies goalkeepers carefully and often places the ball with surgical accuracy rather than relying solely on power. This methodical approach has helped him score countless crucial penalties in La Liga, the Champions League, and international tournaments.
Messi’s record extends beyond just penalties. His dribbling, playmaking, and leadership make him a complete player, but his ability to perform under pressure at the penalty spot is what sets him apart. Gamers and managers alike value Messi for his consistency and intelligence. Even in high-pressure situations, he rarely misses, making him one of the most reliable penalty takers in 2025.
2. Robert Lewandowski – 93
Robert Lewandowski is one of football’s deadliest strikers, and his penalty-taking is no exception. The Bayern Munich forward has perfected a blend of composure, power, and placement, giving him a 93 rating from the spot in 2025.
Lewandowski’s technique involves reading the goalkeeper, controlling his approach, and placing the ball with pinpoint accuracy. He rarely misses, even in high-stakes matches in the Bundesliga, Champions League, or for Poland’s national team. His record demonstrates both technical skill and mental resilience, traits essential for elite penalty takers.
Lewandowski’s consistency has made him indispensable for Bayern Munich, often providing the crucial goal when needed most. In EA FC simulations, he is a top pick for Ultimate Team or Career Mode, offering reliability and precision. His combination of physicality, technique, and mental strength ensures he remains one of the world’s best penalty takers in 2025.
1. Erling Haaland – 96
Erling Haaland tops the 2025 rankings with a staggering 96 penalty rating. The Manchester City striker combines sheer power, precision, and composure to dominate from the spot. With years ahead of him, he has already established himself as one of the most feared penalty takers in world football.
Haaland’s approach is clinical. He analyzes goalkeepers, times his strike perfectly, and places the ball where it is almost impossible to stop. His confidence and audacity make him nearly unstoppable, whether in domestic leagues, the Champions League, or international matches with Norway.
Beyond penalties, Haaland’s physicality, speed, and finishing ability make him a nightmare for defenders. In EA FC Ultimate Team or Career Mode, he is considered a cheat code for spot-kicks due to his high conversion rate. His combination of mental toughness, technique, and raw talent ensures that Haaland remains the ultimate penalty taker in 2025. Fans, analysts, and gamers alike recognize him as the benchmark for excellence from the spot, a player who can turn any high-pressure moment into a goal.
FAQ’s:
Who is currently the best penalty taker in the world in 2025?
Erling Haaland tops the 2025 rankings with a 96 penalty rating. Known for his power, precision, and composure, Haaland is nearly unstoppable from the spot.
Which active players are consistently reliable from the penalty spot?
Players like Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Ivan Toney are among the most dependable in world football, converting penalties under high-pressure situations for club and country.
Why is penalty-taking so important in football?
Penalties often decide matches and trophies. A skilled penalty taker combines mental strength, composure, and technique to deliver goals in crucial moments, influencing both career legacies and team success.
